State news in brief
7/25/2008 11:30 PM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend



Nader brings campaign to S.C.

COLUMBIA (AP) -- White House hopeful Ralph Nader said the presidential election process needs to be easier for third-party candidates.

The State of Columbia reports that Nader said at the South Carolina Statehouse on Friday that he wants a national health care plan, minimum wage increases and a six-month deadline for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

Nader said most Americans agree with him on those issues but restrictions make it hard for third-party candidates to run.

Nader expects to be on South Carolina's ballot as a petition candidate. His campaign has said Nader isn't affiliated with a political party.

The campaign turned in 17,500 signatures a couple of weeks ago. Election officials said 1,500 have been checked, and 957 are from valid, active voters.

Former SLED agent dies

COLUMBIA (AP) -- A former South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agent has been identified as the victim in an unusual brush fire in Lexington County.

The Lexington County coroner's office said an autopsy was planned on the body of 80-year-old Lawrence "Pete" Brooks of the Hopkins area in Richland County.

The State of Columbia reported there was no indication of foul play.

Chief Deputy Coroner Chris Lorick said doctors at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., said Brooks died of multiple organ failure Wednesday.

A police report states Brooks was giving a friend a ride home around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when he stopped to look at a piece of property he was considering buying. The report said Brooks' car got stuck in some sand and caught fire after repeated attempts to dislodge it.

State revamps official website

COLUMBIA (AP) -- South Carolina has revamped the official state website.

The site, at www.sc.gov, now includes video and audio clips helping users to navigate the site and answering questions such as where to find tax forms or get officials copies of birth certificates.

The site added Google maps and directions to state buildings as well as aerial photos from Google Earth.

The revamped site also has links to the state's home page at social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Miss South Carolina is already one of the state's MySpace friends.

Son charged with abusing mother

GREENVILLE (AP) -- A Greenville man is accused of neglecting his 69-year-old mother, who police said was found malnourished and infested with maggots.

Ronald Taylor was charged Friday with abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult. The 50-year-old man has been released on $25,000 bond.

Investigators think Barbara Taylor had very little food in the past few weeks. Police spokesman Jason Rampey said the woman had at least 20 bed sores. Officials said the woman was in critical condition at a Greenville hospital.

Sullivan's Island charges for water

CHARLESTON (AP) -- All property owners in Sullivan's Island will soon be paying a water bill. The Charleston Post and Courier reports the town council this month decided that owners of the 90 vacant lots on the island will have to start paying $35 a month as a basic water and sewer fee.

Town Administrator Andy Benke said the council felt all property owners benefit from improvements to the water system, even if they don't use it. He said the fee will help maintain a system the owners of vacant lots may someday use.

Street peddlers ban considered

CHARLESTON (AP) -- Charleston's rule for sidewalk peddlers is they must keep moving unless making a sale.

But Police Chief Greg Mullen said peddlers may have to be banned along a section of busy King Street in the heart of the city because some peddlers seem to be doing more loitering than peddling. He said some peddlers who sell things like ice treats have been literally setting up shop on the sidewalks, not moving. Mullen said that makes it tough for pedestrians.

The Charleston Post and Courier reports city council will consider the ban next month.

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