ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) _ Prosecutors have dropped a murder charge against a 24-year-old man, saying Anderson County deputies made mistakes that make it legally and ethically impossible to take the case to trial. Raymond Groves was charged last summer in the 2005 killing of 44-year-old James ``Pete'' Wells, who was shot in the parking lot of a Chinese restaurant as he took food to his car.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The director of South Carolina's licensing agency says a state investigation earlier this year found a worker was selling cosmetology licenses in a parking lot.

Some 1,000 Midlands families will have a traditional Thanksgiving meal, thanks to USC coaches and players who volunteered to give to those who need it most.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) _ A Chesnee man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after admitting to using marijuana and alcohol when he caused a wreck that killed a 69-year-old man. Prosecutor Barry Barnette says 31-year-old James Lee McKelvey was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to felony driving under the influence with a death.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ President Barack Obama will use a former South Carolina campaign leader as a senior advisor in his re-election bid. Obama's campaign said Thursday that Rick Wade will be in charge of South Carolina political affairs. Wade is also advising the Democratic National Committee on its 2012 convention in Charlotte.

A day after dozens of Occupy Columbia protesters are arrested and Governor Nikki Haley imposes a 6:00pm curfew on demonstrators, they obey the request, but say they are not done fighting for their cause.

The day after 19 Occupy Columbia protesters spent the night in jail, many of them returned to the State Capitol, signs in hand.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Federal and state authorities are meeting in Columbia for a summit on prescription drug abuse and addiction. United States Attorney Bill Nettles says representatives from the United States Attorney's Office, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Drug Enforcement Administration are among those planning to gather Wednesday at the University of South Carolina's Koger Center.

After more than a month of demonstrating on the lawn of the State House, Occupy Columbia protestors are demanded by Gov. Nikki Haley to vacate the premises.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina's Department of Public Safety has a new leader. Maj. Leroy Smith took the helm Tuesday of the agency that oversees the state Highway Patrol, Transport Police and Bureau of Protective Services.

Richland County residents may soon have to limit the number of pets in their home to three, if changes are made to the county's animal care ordinance.

CAMDEN, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a Greenville man is in jail after leading Kershaw County sheriff's deputies on a high-speed chase. Sheriff Jim Matthews said 22-year-old Joshua Damien Boyter was being held in the Kershaw County jail Monday for failing to stop for officers.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) _ Spartanburg County sheriff's deputies have obtained warrants charging a Greer man with killing his wife and brother-in-law and wounding his sister-in-law. Master Deputy Craig Bradley says warrants charge 69-year-old Jefferson Perry with attempted murder and two counts of murder.

All around the world, monuments, fountains and buildings are being 'turned blue' in observance of World Diabetes Day.

The University of South Carolina ranks 14th in both the AP and USA Today Coaches poll released after this weeks win against Florida. The Clemson Tigers rank 7th in the AP and 8th in the Coaches poll.