State News in Brief for Sept. 9

Residents sue S.C. landfill over odor

COLUMBIA (AP) -- A neighbor has sued the operator of the largest landfill in South Carolina, complaining the odor from the garbage is sickening and is hurting property values.

The State newspaper reported Wednesday the class action lawsuit was filed earlier this summer by Perrin Babb against the Republic Services, which operates the landfill just outside Bishopville, about 50 miles east of Columbia on Interstate 20.

The lawsuit seeks damages for those near the landfill.

Republic spokeswoman Peg Mulloy said the company is fighting the lawsuit, but would not talk about it.

Thom Berry with the Department of Health and Environmental Control said Republic has expanded a gas extraction system to help with odors and has added misters to limit the smell. He said the company is also putting thicker cover on top of the trash.

Ex-employee took money from DMV

COLUMBIA (AP) -- A former employee at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has been charged with taking more than $300,000 from the agency.

Multiple media outlets reported 39-year-old Wendy Gaskins of West Columbia was charged Tuesday with embezzlement of public funds.

The State Law Enforcement Division says Gaskins was a facilities manager with the DMV and is accused of taking the money for personal use.

SLED says Gaskins set up a fake company known as "J. Creech Construction" and deposited the stolen funds in a checking account for the company.

It was unclear if Gaskins had an attorney.

Residents sue SC landfill over odor

COLUMBIA (AP) -- A neighbor has sued the operator of the largest landfill in South Carolina, complaining the odor from the garbage is sickening and is hurting property values.

The State newspaper reported Wednesday the class action lawsuit was filed earlier this summer by Perrin Babb against the Republic Services, which operates the landfill just outside Bishopville, about 50 miles east of Columbia on Interstate 20.

The lawsuit seeks damages for those near the landfill.

Republic spokeswoman Peg Mulloy says the company is fighting the lawsuit, but would not talk about it.

Thom Berry with the Department of Health and Environmental Control says Republic has expanded a gas extraction system to help with odors and has added misters to limit the smell. He says the company is also putting thicker cover on top of the trash.