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SC increases security
SC State Law Enforcement
Division Chief Robert Stewart, who is in charge of state homeland security, says
that although no specific threat has been made to anything in South Carolina,
"We certainly don't need to under react." WIS-TV
Police road enforcement up for holiday weekend
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office will increase its patrol of area highways
this Memorial Day weekend, and urges residents to buckle up for safety, and to
steer clear of being stopped and ticketed. Greenville
News - Patrolling to continue in Myrtle Beach during Memorial
Day, Biker Week. The
State
Discrimination suits will impact Strand
regardless of outcome
The legal system will settle the discrimination
issue officially but the controversy and the damage it may do to the Grand Strand,
a place that makes welcoming tourists its mission, will likely continue. Myrtle
Beach Sun News SC tourism heating up
Tourism
efforts are breaking even in South Carolina, but competitors are turning up the
heat, state Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Chad Prosser told the House
Tourism Caucus on Wednesday. Myrtle
Beach Sun News 
Senate
approves frugal school budget
The South Carolina Senate passed Wednesday
an education budget almost identical to that passed by the House, with the lowest
per-pupil spending, $1,643, in a decade. Greenville
News, The
State, WIS-TV,
WLTX-TV
Rumors of Hollings' retirement loom
Greenville's
Joe Erwin, the state Democratic Party chairman, said Wednesday the 81-year-old
Hollings hasn't told him he won't run for a seventh full term in 2004, but did
allow him to begin to take soundings about who the best candidate would be, where
the candidate should be from and fundraising capability. Greenville
News, WYFF-TV,
WSPA-TV
- Hollings op-ed -- see Opinion section
below.
Seatbelt bill approved
A Senate committee passed
a bill Wednesday that would allow police to stop a motorist for not wearing a
seat belt. The
State Bill could assist Shaw AFB
A new
$8.5 million deployment center, which would receive funding from a defense spending
bill, at Shaw Air Force Base would assist troops in more easily shipping out to
overseas assignments. The
State Two named to port board
Sanford named Carroll A. Campbell III, of Columbia, and Harry J. Butler Jr., of
Georgetown, to the board that regulates and approves major spending decisions
for the Port of Charleston. The
State/AP Thurmond weak
Friends and family said
Wednesday that former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond has been weaker than usual in recent
days, but is resting comfortably in his suite at the Edgefield County Hospital.
Spartanburg
Herald-Journal/AP
Duke
rates on the rise
Duke Power requested from state regulators Wednesday
a rate increase that would total about $2 extra a month for its typical residential
customer. The
State, WSPA-TV *
HomeGold may alter status
While HomeGold Financial did survive bankruptcy
proceedings, Chapter 7 is the likely future of Carolina Investors, sources close
to the companies’ bankruptcy cases said. Anderson
Independent-Mail * BellSouth rated top
local service provider. Anderson
Independent-Mail * CIP comes out on
top of port battle
State Attorney General Henry McMaster said Wednesday
that the State Ports Authority had no legal right to take control of a 100-acre
breakbulk cargo facility operated by Charleston International Ports and should
therefore settle differences with the company in arbitration. Post
and Courier * Rhodia SA expands Charleston
plant
Rhodia SA has announced that it will $3 million to expand the research
and development capabilities at the French chemical maker's Charleston plant.
Post
and Courier MB commercial real estate market mixed
A positive
Grand Strand commercial real estate market is being ensured by increased interest
from investors, brokers announced this week. Myrtle
Beach Sun News Firm to head Columbia tech program
Sagacious
Partners, spearheaded by Columbia-area technology veteran Neil McLean, will implement
a plan designed to prepare Columbia region into a hub for high-paying technology
jobs. The
State Restrictions lifted on Columbia insurer
A requirement
limiting Seibels Bruce Group's ability to make operating decisions without state
approval has been lifted by the SC Department of Insurance. The
State
SCETV laying off 35 employees due to budget cuts.
WLTX-TV
Greenville forced to cut school programs
Greenville County principals
have been told to expect an average class size increase of three students, which
would eliminate the jobs of 290 teachers, as the district tries to compensate
for a $28 million budget shortfall. Greenville
News * OCTC to increase tuition
Due
to budget cuts, tuition at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College will increase
from $1,064 to $1,200 for full-time, in-county students starting this autumn.
Orangeburg
Times and Democrat *
Orangeburg-area schools receive grants
The US Department of Education
awarded grant funding to Claflin Universities and Voorhees College as part of
the department's Upward Bound program. Orangeburg
Times and Democrat
Higher education institutions defend tourism
training
Three college representatives Wednesday refuted federal claims
that the American Hospitality Academy abused foreign students to fill low-level
tourism jobs, saying the S.C.-based company provided guaranteed hands-on training
to their students. Myrtle
Beach Sun News * Hart County Comprehensive
High School looking to improve. Anderson
Independent-Mail * Final Oconee County
superintendent candidate meets public. Anderson
Independent-Mail
*
SRS begins Uranium program
The process, to take place at the Savannah River
Site in Aiken, involves combining the excess chemically enriched uranium with
natural uranium to make low-enriched uranium fuel. The fuel will be put to use
in Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear reactors. Augusta
Chronicle
Pine beetle outbreak climbing downward
The Southern
pine beetle outbreak that cost South Carolina $220 million dollars in pine forest
losses last year is declining, forestry experts say. The
State/AP
Hilton Head bans dogs on beaches
Animals
will not be allowed on Hilton Head beaches between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. though Labor
Day. Violators are subject to fines up to $500 for each offense. Hilton
Head Island Packet
Home
healthcare providers compared
This month the federal Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) began a trial program to offer consumers comparative
data on home health providers in South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri,
New Mexico, Oregon, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Greenville
News Mary Black cutting staff
Employees at the Mary Black
Westside Urgent Care Center in Spartanburg were informed Tuesday they would all
have to reapply for their jobs, but not all of them will be rehired. Spartanburg
Herald-Journal
Upstate women watch SARS spread
Two
Upstate women, who teach English in Eastern China, are currently living and working
in what is believed to be the cradle of severe acute respiratory syndrome. WYFF-TV
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Obituary
engine
You
can click on the links below and easily view today's Obituaries in each of the
following papers: | *
Feldman ordered to pay $9 million
A Charleston County jury awarded $9 million
in damages to attorneys Elizabeth and Christopher Murphy on Wednesday to compensate
them for a campaign of lies lead by former WCSC-TV news director Donald Feldman.
Post
and Courier Columbia creates gang unit
Columbia police Wednesday
established a special gang unit, with plans for programs to help students avoid
gangs. The
State, WIS-TV *
Task force will improve pedestrian safety
In response to recent injuries
and deaths of pedestrians in Anderson County, a task force has been marshaled
to explore walking and biking areas and to find out how to make them safer. Anderson
Independent-Mail
* Summerville allowed
off-premise permits
The South Carolina Revenue Department authorized the
sale of off-premises alcohol permits Wednesday, said Summerville Town Administrator
Mark Williams. Post
and Courier
* Clemson residents
in on plan to reshape city's future
The plan, which is altered every 10
years, serves as a map to keep Clemson leaders on course in maintaining and developing
resources, services, programs and regulations. Anderson
Independent-Mail Florence hospitality tax may be put on hold
Florence City officials are debating postponing the implementation of the newly
passed 2-percent hospitality tax until Jan. 1. WBTW-TV Beaufort
Hospitality Association may get less funding
A reduction in the percentage
of money allocated to the Beaufort City Hospitality Association will mean decreasing
advertising for local restaurants and food service businesses, according to association
members. Beaufort
Gazette
Greer fire department needs equipment
To avoid
increases in commercial, industrial and homeowners' fire insurance rates, Greer
must find money for needed Fire Department equipment, according to Fire Chief
Chris Harvey. Greenville
News Travelers Rest may get Farmer's Market
Travelers
Rest City Administrator Cliff Gaddy wants to start up a farmers' market inside
the city limits. Greenville
News Analysis of PSD voting districts postponed
A Hilton
Head committee charged with determining the fairness of proposed voting districts
for the No. 1 Public Service District on Wednesday postponed its analysis due
to committee members wanting more background information. Hilton
head Island Packet
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Letters
engine
You
can click on the links below and easily view today's letters to the editor in
each of the following papers: | 
Hispanics
seeking opportunity
"Greenville County Hispanics want better opportunities
in education, health care, housing and in the job market. That was the message
delivered by a standing-room-only crowd to a White House official who visited
Greenville on Saturday to discuss immigration and other Hispanic issues."
Greenville
News Greenville's downtown area recognized
"Twenty years
ago, downtown Greenville was little more than a department store graveyard. Since
then, it has grown into a thriving business and entertainment district, a remarkable
renaissance the National Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized. The group
has given the city of Greenville a 2003 Great American Main Street Award."
Greenville
News Zoning decisions should be kept local
"You can
guarantee that some of the biggest crowds populating the gallery at city and county
council meetings will be folks concerned about zoning. They're worried about their
homes, their businesses, and their immediate surroundings. And that is as it should
be." The
State Senate should not get rid of Educational Oversight Committee
"If the committee is scrapped, and the Education Department is in sole charge
of the process, that independence is lost, and professional education bureaucrats
with a vested interest in the status quo will have total control." Spartanburg
Herald-Journal Eliminating teachers a step in the wrong direction
for Jasper
"Finding quality teachers to fill vacancies in Jasper
County will become more difficult with a budget to be presented to the County
Council today." Beaufort
Gazette Don't forget Marines' return
"The Silver Eagles'
problem is they're the third Beaufort squadron to come home. Our fear is many
people turned out for the return of the Thunderbolts or the Hawks and, for them,
the whole "Marines come home" thing has lost a little of its local luster."
Carolina
Morning News Bad timing in discrimination suit
"The
discrimination suit against the city of Myrtle Beach and Horry County, as well
as the discrimination suit against the Yachtsman Resort in Myrtle Beach, reached
federal court in Florence just as the predominantly black young Bikefest attendees
are due to arrive on the Grand Strand. Some allegations in the suits may have
merit, but the suits' timing further complicates the challenge of balancing the
rights of attendees against the community's right to order." Myrtle
Beach Sun News * Anderson County celebrates
Freedom Weekend
"Anderson County’s largest festival opens tomorrow,
and there’s plenty to celebrate. Freedom Weekend Aloft is the only South
Carolina happening that has made a list of the 100 top events in the country chosen
by experts for the eventcrazy.com Web site." Anderson
Independent-Mail * Morals of gamblers
questionable
"But as video poker showed and the South Carolina lottery
proves now, it is those who can least afford to play the game that do." Orangeburg
Times and Democrat * Charleston should
reaffirm county land-use plan
"In recent weeks, the Planning Commission
discussed various proposals for rural densities, none of which received a majority
vote. It is encouraging that the proposal that received the least support during
a Tuesday commission meeting was one which would have gutted the plan by generally
allowing one dwelling per acre in rural areas." Post
and Courier * House of Representatives
have bad timing
"The state House of Representatives should have listened
to the South Carolina Troopers' Association, which supported Gov. Mark Sanford's
veto of a bill to provide $500,000 for a memorial for slain law enforcement officers
on the Statehouse grounds. The troopers' group said the money could be better
spent on salaries or equipment." Post
and Courier
Hollings: US needs fiscal discipline
"The
country needs fiscal discipline, and we are getting it at the state level. Fourteen
Republican governors are increasing taxes to provide for their states' needs.
But the cost of the war doesn't move Washington. We already are spending $500
billion to $600 billion more than we are taking in. Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker
and Robert Rubin believe this is enough stimulus." The
State
Bolton: Incidents are issues of race
"The
three recent issues I speak of, the drinking straw bill, former Sen. Strom Thurmond's
pictures on the state Legislative Manual and a traffic stop involving Lt. Gov.
Andre Bauer -- not very grave issues, although reckless driving is a serious offense
-- end in conversations about race." The
State Hyde: License program a bad idea
"The reason the
state is speeding toward a 10-year license is clear: The DMV, with its long lines,
is one of the most glaring examples of a government program that doesn't work.
And Gov. Sanford and lawmakers are desperate to achieve something this year, having
notably failed thus far in so many other areas, including public education."
Greenville
News Miller: Group works to protect pristine Upstate area
"FOLKS
fosters programs to educate about how to protect Lake Keowee and maintain its
pristine status. Among these are educational forums for the public, outreach to
lakeside homeowner associations, newcomers, local industry, annual 4-H Pontoon
Classrooms for kids and ombudsman programs." Greenville
News | 
