SC chief justice wants 9 new judges
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's top jurist says she needs nine new judges to run the state's court system more effectively.
Local News
Winthrop SC poll: US headed in wrong direction
ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — A Winthrop University poll finds 59 percent of South Carolinians think the nation is heading in the wrong direction and 46 percent think their state is also on the wrong path.
Farm experts aren't worried about early bloomers
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The unusually mild winter has led a number of plants to start blooming ahead of schedule. But horticulture experts said it's not too big of a deal, and for now, people should just sit back and enjoy the early spring show.
USC honors first black professor post-Civil War
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The University of South Carolina is celebrating the career of Richard T. Greener, the first black professor at the school, who taught from 1873 to 1877.
USC baseball team, coach recognized at Statehouse
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — It's University of South Carolina day at the Statehouse.
Richland County New Animal Laws
Richland County Council members approve a revised amendment to the proposed animal ordinance leaving some breeder's and pet lover's alike screaming foul.
SC Senate Makes Progress on Government Reform Bill
The South Carolina Senate has voted to eliminate the agency that handles much of the state's bureaucracy and put much of its duties under the governor's control.
SC bill would suspend benefits for drug users
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A measure suspending the unemployment benefits of anyone who fails a drug test as part of a job application is heading to the House floor.
Bullet Removed From Orangeburg Man After Twelve Years
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) _ A doctor in Orangeburg has removed a bullet that was lodged in a man's back for more than a decade.
Video in Suspect Beating Shown in Court
For the first time, a judge views surveillance video in the assault of a Columbia teenage last summer and must decide whether one of the alleged juvenile offenders will be tried as an adult.
Police: Driver going 90 mph before Columbia wreck
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Columbia police say a car was going 90 mph when the driver lost control in a curve and crashed into a building near Williams-Brice stadium, killing all four people in the vehicle.
SC House panel to discuss pension reform
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A House panel studying South Carolina pension reform will consider tweaking proposed requirements on age and years on the job.
Lexington State of the Town Address
A lot of changes are coming to Lexington according to Mayor Randy Halfacre who held a state of the town address. The hour long address focused on three key issues, growth, partnership and planning.
SC Mom Says She Rubbed Cocaine on Sore Tooth
A 27-year-old Conway woman told authorities her newborn daughter tested positive for drugs because she had rubbed cocaine on a sore tooth before giving birth.
Teen Shooting
AIKEN, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a teen has been shot and killed while sitting in a car in Aiken.
1 Fired from SC Jail After Inmate Escape
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (AP) _ One employee has been fired and several others disciplined after an inmate escaped from the Berkeley County jail. Sheriff's spokesman Dan Moon says one person was fired, one employee was demoted and two others were suspended.
Gilbert Teen killed while helping remove deer from road
The Lexington County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating an accident that took the life of a 17-year-old Gilbert teen.
SC DMV plans more realistic driving tests
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina officials say they plan to put new drivers through a more realistic road test before giving them a license.
New Video in Carter Strange Beating Revealed
Eight months after their son was severely beaten in Columbia's Five Points, the parents of the victim witness the moments leading up to their son's attack.
SC Army post has community tour of installation
FORT JACKSON, S.C. (AP) — The Army's largest training installation is inviting the public to tour the post and get an up-close look at how soldiers are trained.
Local school showcased in Apple commercial
Lexington High School is now being showcased in an Apple commercial about using the iPad 2 in the classroom.
Peaches already blooming in SC, worrying farmers
AIKEN, S.C. (AP) — The warm winter already has some peach trees blooming, and that has farmers worried.
Could Warmer Temps Threaten Local Crops?
South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers is closely monitoring unseasonably warm temperatures' possible impact on crops, so you don't end up paying more at the grocery store.
SC Group goes to Court over Inmate Mental Health
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - An advocacy group that has sued South Carolina's prisons agency over the care of mentally ill inmates is getting its day in court. Circuit Court Judge Michael Baxley on Monday is expected to begin hearing arguments in the case. The lawsuit accuses the Corrections Department of violating the constitutional rights of inmates suffering from mental illness. Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities sued the agency in 2005, saying mentally ill inmates were being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by being severely punished for disciplinary infractions. The group also said the inmates were not being given enough access to psychiatric care. The advocacy group says as many as 4,400 of the state's inmates are mentally ill. Prison officials deny claims that mentally ill inmates' rights are being violated but acknowledge their agency needs more money.
Police find bomb-making materials in Cordova
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say they found materials that could be used to make bombs while investigating a domestic violence complaint in Orangeburg County.
