Coroner: No Drugs, Alcohol in Sponseller's System
Final autopsy results were released Friday for Tom Sponseller, the former President of the State Hospitality Association who was found dead in a Downtown Columbia parking garage last month.
Local News
Ken Ard indicted on ethics violations
Just hours after Ken Ard resigned from his position as the Lt. Governor, Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that a grand jury has indicted Ard on seven counts of ethics violations.
Lt. Gov. Ard resigns, Sen. McConnell to fill office
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned Friday amid a criminal investigation into whether he spent campaign money on personal items.
6 exposed to powder at Columbia prison OK
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Six people who went to the hospital after being exposed to a powder inside a suspicious package at a state prison in Columbia have been released.
SC legislator proposes shortening time for divorce
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A proposed amendment to the South Carolina constitution would allow couples to divorce after 150 days of separation, rather than one year.
Hospitality Association says about $480K missing
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — 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.
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 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.
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.
