SC Senate approves ban on camping at Statehouse
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate has unanimously approved a bill preventing Occupy Columbia from renewing its around-the-clock protest on Statehouse grounds.
Local News
Crews Report Heavy Smoke from Compost Fire
A one-and-a-half acre compost fire is causing heavy smoke issues in the Ballentine area.
Occupy Columbia
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The South Carolina Senate has unanimously approved a bill preventing Occupy Columbia from renewing its around-the-clock protest on Statehouse grounds.
2 Pedestrians Struck, Killed by Logging Truck
SANTEE, S.C. (AP) _ State troopers say two pedestrians were struck and killed by a log truck that was swerving to miss a car left in the road from a previous wreck.
SC Hosp. Assoc. Reports More than $480,000 Missing
Officials with the South Carolina Hospitality Association say about $480,000 is missing from its account, but an audit found no evidence linking its founder to the lost funds.
Nearly Half a Million Missing from Hospitality Assoc.
Officials with the South Carolina Hospitality Association say the results on an audit are 'shocking, sickening and inexcusable' as it was discovered that $480,944.93 went missing from the Association from 2009 to 2011.
Concealed weapons permit instructor arrested
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State Law Enforcement Division agents say a concealed weapons permit instructor in Lexington was arrested after he taught what is required by state law to be an eight-hour class in just four hours.
SC House approves ban on texting and driving
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill banning drivers from texting or reading electronic messages on South Carolina's roadways has received key approval in the House.
SC Bill Clarifies Colleges Can Ban Smoking
A House panel has advanced a bill clarifying that South Carolina's colleges can go smoke-free.
Pawmetto Lifeline Puts More Bite in their Bark
Pawmetto Life held their grand opening of the new Meyer Finlay Adoption Center Wednesday night. A more than 7 acre facility off Bower Parkway that will give them more room to help save the lives of pets here in the Midlands.
Gov. Haley Blasts House budget-writing Committee
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is lambasting the House budget-writing committee for not including $140 million worth of tax cuts in their spending plan for the coming year.
SC Gov Haley bashing House budget-writers
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is lambasting the House budget-writing committee for not including $140 million worth of tax cuts in their spending plan for the coming year.
Texting and Driving
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A bill banning drivers from texting or reading electronic messages on South Carolina's roadways has received key approval in the House.
Stolen Pit Bulls 'Ready' for Adoption
Nearly a month after several pit bulls were stolen from a Columbia animal shelter and transported to Bamberg County to be placed in a dog training compound, the dogs return to Columbia and shelter officials claim many of them are ready to be adopted.
State Trooper Hurt in I-20 Wreck Near Columbia
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a state trooper was injured after his patrol car was rear-ended as he tried to stop another car from speeding near Columbia. Richland County deputies said the wreck happened on I-20 near Interstate 77 around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
SC House committee advances private school choice
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A measure offsetting parents' cost of private school tuition and homeschool expenses is moving to the House floor.
SC Ways and Means panel advances pension reform
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill meant to shore up South Carolina's pension system for roughly 220,000 public workers is heading to the House floor.
Preventable Fires
The Columbia fire department says they're seeing a disturbing trend of preventable fires throughout the area. It's what's sparking them, that now has them sending a warning to local residents.
You Can Win Baseball Tickets by just Shopping
As spring quickly approaches, that means more people will be spending time outside - including at South Carolina ball fields.
Longest-serving SC senator not seeking re-election
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's longest-serving senator is retiring.
Teacher Sex Charge
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) _ A teaching assistant from Cayce has been charged with having sex with one of his students while in Mount Pleasant for the Special Olympics.
Owners fight to bring pit bull home
The owners of a pit bull named Apollo contacted ABC Columbia News recently about their dog being taken from their backyard. According to the owners, Apollo was taken by animal control officers for the City of Columbia Animal Shelter. We took their complaints to those in charge to get answers.
SC Man's Leg Freed After 2 Hours Stuck in Machine
EFFINGHAM, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a man has been freed after spending two hours with his leg trapped in a machine at a Florence County lumber yard. Firefighters said a log press closed around the man's leg around 9 a.m. Tuesday at Ingram Lumber Co. in Effingham and he could not get free.
SC county GOP wants hopefuls to sign purity pledge
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A county Republican group in South Carolina wants its candidates to promise to not cheat on their spouses and not watch pornography. But the state GOP says it would be illegal to keep candidates off the ballot only because they refuse to sign the pledge.
Drunken boating charges changed in SC deaths
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped boating under the influence charges in the deaths of two women in a crash on Lake Murray nearly two years ago.
