Tuesday, April 1, 2003 (First edition posted at 7:45 a.m.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: A new feature is the Obituary Engine. Readers say they want an easier way to find out more about deaths across the state. The Obituary Engine connects you quickly with death notices in major papers. More.

Graham thinks Iraqi regime will fall soon

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham expects Saddam Hussein's regime to fall in a matter of weeks. He warned that America should be prepared for a long reconstruction period in Iraq after Saddam is removed though.

Graham also spoke of the threat of North Korea producing nuclear weapons, although he believes there is more of a chance of achieving a peaceful resolution than there was with Iraq.

Graham thinks that the price to replace the Iraqi regime could be as much as $200 billion. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, D-S.C., has questioned how the US will pay for the war.

Lawmakers can make difference for military

From today's Spartanburg Herald-Journal

"Supporting America's troops during the war with Iraq is a popular sentiment, leading to rallies and other morale-building exercises. But South Carolina's lawmakers have the ability to genuinely support the troops.

Several proposals that would make the strained financial lives of soldiers a bit easier are working their way through the General Assembly. Lawmakers should find a way to pass most, if not all, of them.

The structure of the nation's military has changed. America relies more on reservists and members of the National Guard than it has in the past

Making substantive changes in state law that give tangible comfort to military families may be the best way to support the troops. Lawmakers should pass these measures."

Second SC serviceman missing
Army Sgt. George Edward Buggs, 31, of Barnwell, is missing. Assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, he has been missing since March 23. No other details are available. He's the second South Carolinian missing in the conflict. The State/AP

Beaufort-based Marine fighter pilots doing their part
Lt. Col. Karl Brandt, the executive officer for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 of Beaufort, says its focus is to support ground troops and attack enemy aircraft. Greenville News

Deployed airmen in Charleston having to stay in hotels
So many airmen are deployed at Charleston Air Force Base that the military has had to put them up in 22 local hotels and motels. The State

Hundreds gather in Spartanburg in support of troops Spartanburg Herald-Journal

• Antiwar activists, war supporters protest in Columbia The State, Spartanburg Herald-Journal/AP,* WLTX-TV
• * Soldier's mother wants people to pray, not protest Carolina Morning News
• * Florence woman gives out ribbons, lectures in support of troops Florence Morning News

Readiness groups give support to families with deployments
The readiness group and others work to make sure spouses can shoulder responsibility for their entire families with husbands or wives are away. The State/AP

Aiken policeman supplying troops with hand-made Bibles WIS-TV

Beaufort Marine helping out troops by sending supplies Beaufort Gazette

* Hispanic group adopts Navy airman
Latinoamericanos en Accion, a support group for the Grand Strand's Spanish-speaking immigrants, recently adopted Navy Airman Angelica Martinez of California and has been sending letters of support and care packages. Myrtle Beach Sun News

* Greenwood family waits for deployed loved one's return Greenwood Index-Journal

* Sharon family tries to cope with not knowing soldier's whereabouts in Iraq Rock Hill Herald

• Graham believes Iraqi regime will fall soon The State/AP, WIS-TV,* WLTX-TV

Bill proposes new twist for local-option sales tax
The proposed law would allow municipalities to implement a 1 percent sales tax to pay for a broad range of projects, and is being reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee. Hilton Head Island Packet

Carolina Investors' parent files for Chapter 11
HomeGold Financial Inc., the corporate parent of Carolina Investors, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday.Greenville News, The State

BASF Corp. in Anderson to lays off 49 workers The State/AP

* Charleston may lose CropTech
CropTech, which uses tobacco plants to make medicines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Roanoke, Va and has put plans for move to the Charleston-area on hold. Post and Courier

Students keep Confederate flag debate alive
Students wore their contraband shirts to school with masking tape and the word "Censored" over the emblem school officials say is offensive. Beaufort Gazette, Hilton Head Island Packet

* Schools step up security
Sumter-area school districts are increasing security measures in light of the heightened security threat, which now stands at “high alert,” or Code Orange. Sumter Item

Clemson and other colleges look for more minority students for science careers
Clemson University and Benedict, Claflin and Morris colleges are working together to encourage more minority students to pursue biological science careers. Greenville News

* Horry schools want to raise taxes to avoid teacher cuts
The Horry County Board of Education gave preliminary approval Monday to a district plan which cuts $4.5 million from the general-fund budget, but does not eliminate teaching positions or increase class sizes. Myrtle Beach Sun News

Fort Hill reopens to celebration
After two years of restoration, the oldest building on the Clemson University campus reopened to the public. Greenville News

Gas leak forces evacuation at school
Cannon's Elementary School in Cowpens had to evacuate almost 400 students because of a broken gas main line Monday. Spartanburg Herald-Journal

* Academy not expected to open on time
Horry County Schools officials do not expect Richard Milburn Academy, a charter school for troubled youth, to open next fall as planned. Myrtle Beach Sun News

* Budget may force school's closing
Superintendent Dr. Keith Callicutt will present the Newberry County Board of School Trustees with a plan to balance the district's budget which may include closing Whitmire High School. Union Daily Times

State agency, Burroughs & Chapin debate flooding on property
Recent rains have renewed the debate between Burroughs & Chapin's and the Department of Natural Resources over how much Burroughs & Chapin's property south of Columbia is flood-prone. The State,* Myrtle Beach Sun News

* Swordfish added to mercury advisory
The annual fish consumption advisory, issued by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, warns against eating specific fish from 53 S.C. rivers and lakes because of high mercury levels. Myrtle Beach Sun News,* WCIV-TV/AP,* Post and Courier

* Biologists waiting to see Santee flood damage
Wildlife biologists who manage the Santee Delta Wildlife Management Area have to wait to see what damage has been done by flooding until water levels on some parts of the Santee River in Georgetown County sink below flood stage. Myrtle Beach Sun News

Early Spring freeze may help peach crop
A freeze acts as a natural selection process, killing peaches on crowded branches. WYFF-TV

* May River Cleanup set for Saturday
Kayakers will be helping in the second annual May River Cleanup in Bluffton on Saturday and will cover the entirety of the river's eight miles. Carolina Morning News

MUSC study finds drug may help MS patients
MUSC researchers have found that a common drug prescribed to lower cholesterol, called Zocor, may also treat the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. The State,* WCIV-TV/AP, * Post and Courier

* 36 jobs cut at Chester County Hospital
As part of a $2 million expense reduction plan thirty-six Chester County Hospital and Nursing Center employees will lose their jobs and 86 employees will take a reduction in hours. Rock Hill Herald

Greenville business leaders urging MLK compromise
More than three dozen business leaders urged the Greenville County Council to approve a holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and worried that not approving it could hurt economic growth in Greenville. Greenville News, WYFF-TV

Project costs add up in Spartanburg
Spartanburg City Council members agreed to allocate as much as $2 million more to the Renaissance Park project. Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Beaufort City Council defends autonomy
A Beaufort County Council committee said Monday that State legislators are undermining local governments' authority to make their own laws. Hilton Head Island Packet

* Orangeburg Forestry Commission expert lends talent to shuttle recovery effort
South Carolina Forestry Commission Regional Communications Manager Mike Thomas has been providing communications services to search teams in Palestine, Texas. Orangeburg Times and Democrat

* GOP applying different standard to project according to Clyburn
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn says five Republicans, including Gov. Mark Sanford, have singled out his plan to build a bridge over Lake Marion and asked a federal agency to do an in-depth study of it. Orangeburg Times and Democrat

Upstate cities celebrate growing international diversity
Nine Upstate cities joined Clemson University Monday to celebrate the area's growing international diversity during Clemson's International Week. Greenville News

Game Show Network makes stop in Greenville
The Game Show Network's "Get Schooled Tour," will be stopping at Haywood Mall in Greenville giving people a chance to up to $10,000 for college tuition. Greenville News

Firefighters helped by donations
Duncan Chapel firefighters received gave more than $16,000 in donations, allowing it to buy a thermal imager camera. Greenville News

Greenville County to institute three new children's programs
Strong Communities for Children in the Golden Strip is planning to start three new programs throughout southern Greenville County in the coming year which are aimed at reducing child abuse and neglect. Greenville News

Simpsonville voters to pick Republican contender today Greenville News

Many Pickens residents commute out of county
28,951 Pickens County residents of a 52,000-member workforce work in Pickens County, and the rest commute to Greenville, Anderson, Oconee, Spartanburg and Laurens counties to work. Greenville News

Oconee Nuclear siren test today, safety hearing this week
Nuclear Regulatory Commission staffers plan to meet with Duke Energy officials in Seneca for the annual safety assessment on Thursday. Greenville News

Richland County gets review of land-use ordinance
Council members heard from supporters and opponents of Richland County's proposed land-development ordinance. The State

• Richland County considers water service The State

* Georgetown looks at tax increase, pay freeze
To help make up for a projected $538,000 revenue shortfall Georgetown residents may see a property-tax increase and city employees may not get a pay raise. Myrtle Beach Sun News

* Myrtle Beach budget seems to be in stable condition for annual retreat Myrtle Beach Sun News

* Greenville names new developer for Braves stadium
Greenville Council Members named a new developer, Scheer Games & R. Williams Development Company, for the Greenville Braves Stadium on Monday. WHNS FOX-TV

* York County discusses water efficiency plan Rock Hill Herald

* N. Charleston gets Navy base acreage
After months of talk, North Charleston will finally lay claim today to 248.7 acres on the northern tip of the former Charleston Naval Base which it plans to sell to the Noisette Co. for use in its redevelopment of 3,000 acres on the city's blighted southern end. Post and Courier

* Mount Pleasant asks for $100,000 grant
Mount Pleasant officials are asking for a estimated $100,000 grant from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for a pedestrian trail at Patriot's Point. Post and Courier

• Mount Pleasant wants others to help pay for burying power line Post and Courier
  

* Bridge construction won't be held up by noise ordinance
Mount Pleasant's Town Council's police, judicial and legal committee told Palmetto Bridge Constructors not to worry about the town's noise ordinance and clarified that the contractor can work around the clock. Post and Courier

MLK holiday on the table
"The Greenville County Council has an opportunity today to approve a sensible compromise plan that will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement that he led. At the same time, the council could end the bitter divisiveness over the creation of a holiday that's recognized by most governmental entities." Greenville News

Don't erode counties' power to regulate farm
"It's clear the factory hog farm industry and its supporters know that South Carolinians don't want the huge facilities and their stench in our state. It's clear because these mega-farms' backers keep trying to sneak protections for the facilities into state law." The State

Lawmakers have ability to make a difference for military personnel
"Supporting America's troops during the war with Iraq is a popular sentiment, leading to rallies and other morale-building exercises. But South Carolina's lawmakers have the ability to genuinely support the troops." Spartanburg Herald-Journal

* Don't falter on PSC reform
"Sen. Glenn McConnell is right to insist on meaningful reform of the state's Public Service Commission since the board is responsible for decisions that can cost consumers hundreds of millions in utility payments. The commission's shortcomings should be addressed before the Legislature votes on candidates to the citizens board this year." Post and Courier

* End of port debate is finally in sight
"One of the biggest questions ever asked in Jasper County will be answered as soon as June, and that day can't come soon enough." Carolina Morning News

* Should council or board levy taxes for schools?
"Greenwood School District 50 trustees and members of the local legislative delegation have begun discussions on giving the district limited fiscal authority. That means the district could then set its own budget and levy taxes." Greenwood Index-Journal

Give information to students sooner
"School administrators, district officials and members of the board of education should seize upon that as an opportunity to discuss the racial tension that exists in schools. They should take the opportunity to establish student panels to discuss any number of issues but especially how symbols of one group can offend another group." Beaufort Gazette

* An open debate is healthy
"The recent suspension of two Northwestern High School students for leaving campus to protest the war in Iraq was unfortunate. But school officials had warned students of the consequences, and the students admitted were aware of the risk they were taking." Rock Hill Herald

Scoppe: Want to pick on alcohol as much as cigarettes? Raise cigarette tax
"I grew up with red clay between my toes, sticky black tobacco gum between my fingers and the idea firmly planted in my brain that it was just wrong how the government was so much tougher on the tobacco industry than the alcohol industry." The State

Solman: Are there ways to make corporations act ethically?
" Ethical issues are not new. Nor are they peculiar to our society or nation, as Michelin vice president Thierry Wersinger confirmed in comments at the Global Forum dinner in Greenville. They are a matter of the human condition or, as another business leader suggested, a matter of the human heart. There are no easy answers. But what that means, the forum concluded, is that we must keep asking the questions." Greenville News

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