ABBEVILLE, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a 50-year-old Anderson man apparently drowned in Lake Secession in Abbeville County while trying to retrieve his boat. Abbeville County Coroner Ronnie Ashley said that Bobby Ray Jones was putting his boat into the water around 11 a.m. Friday when it started to drift away.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Federal prosecutors say a 43-year-old Blythewood woman has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $700,000 from a group of doctors who trusted her to keep their books.

A much needed facelift is headed to Northeast Columbia. Business along Decker Boulevard can apply now for a facade improvement grant to beautify the area.

NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say they have broken up a burglary ring that broke into around 50 houses in Greenwood and Newberry counties, stealing more than $100,000 in televisions, computers, jewelry and other items. Investigators say a traffic stop in Saluda County earlier this month helped them break up the ring, when they busted a drug dealer who had some of the items stolen from the home.

Years of debate about where to hold Irmo's Annual Okra Strut have come to an end with the purchase of 14 acres to construct a new park that will house the decades-old festival.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina voters represented by the American Civil Liberties Union have been granted permission to get involved in a lawsuit over the state's new voter ID law.