Officials: South Carolina restaurant allegedly used food trucks to traffic drugs
GREENVILLE, S.C. — A South Carolina restaurant allegedly used food trucks to traffic drugs for cartels, officials say. >> Read more trending newsIn a statement sent to WGHP from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, 34 people have been charged after an investigation that linked a Greenville, South Carolina restaurant, Los Primos, to drug trafficking for Mexican cartels. WGHP says the owners of Los Primos, facilitated the drug trafficking through their food trucks and restaurant establishment. The drugs that were trafficked included meth, cocaine, and heroin. WYFF obtained a statement from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office which stated that a South Carolina grand jury had issued 124 charges against 34 people©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comRep. Nancy Mace thought she was filming a campaign ad. Instead, it was a surprise engagement from her boyfriend.
Mace was hesitant to knock on the door at first, not wanting to surprise the residents inside by showing up with her camera crew. But the person who opened the door shocked her.
cbsnews.comBrittanee Drexel remains found 13 years later near SC coast, person of interest arrested
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. — Law enforcement officials have confirmed the remains found during a search near the South Carolina coast last week are the remains of 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel, who mysteriously disappeared in 2009. >> Read more trending newsThe remains were found in the woods in Georgetown County during the search on Wednesday and Thursday, according to WCIV. BREAKING: The remains of Brittanee Drexel, who went missing from Myrtle Beach in 2009, have been found, SC authorities say. https://t.co/cTKM5lpaWP — WSOCTV (@wsoctv) May 16, 2022Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver confirmed the discovery during a press conference on Monday afternoon from the Georgetown County Judicial Center. Raymond Moody, a resident of Georgetown County and a convicted sex offender, was arrested last week and charged with obstruction of justice in Georgetown County, according to WSOC-TV.
wftv.comRight result: Wrong ticket brings $250K Powerball prize to South Carolina woman
(NCD)COLUMBIA, S.C. — She got the wrong lottery ticket, but the result was soooo right. >> Read more trending newsA South Carolina woman asked for a Mega Millions ticket at a convenience store but was given a Powerball ticket instead. “I thought, ‘This can’t be,’” the woman, who did not wish to be identified, told South Carolina Education Lottery officials in a statement. “I’m sure it’s me,” the woman texted back, jokingly, according to the television station. Her quick pick ticket matched four of the five numbers and the Powerball number, lottery officials said in a news release.
wftv.com2 inmates found dead in same unit at jail in South Carolina
GREENVILLE, S.C. — (AP) — Two inmates were found dead Thursday in the same unit of a local jail in South Carolina, authorities said. Staff at the Greenville County jail found the inmates unconscious around 4 p.m. and paramedics pronounced them dead, the Greenville County Coroner's Office said in a statement. Autopsies are planned for Friday, according to the coroner's office, which didn't release any additional information including whether there was any sign of trauma or the names of the inmates or the charges they faced. The Greenville County Sheriff's Office runs the jail and hadn't released any information on the deaths Thursday night. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
wftv.comMan freed in competency mix up arrested again in SC killings
The assistant prosecutor who signed off on dropping the charges because of the competency problem and Brand’s public defender at the time also haven't responded to messages. Finney also hasn't reached out to Murray or the families of the sisters since the AP story and a subsequent news conference. There were no public records of Brand’s 2010 arrest or indictments as of Monday. Other public records show Brand, 43, registered to vote from an assisted living home near Columbia in 2016. They want to make sure this doesn't happen to any other family,” Murray said.
wftv.comWarrant: South Carolina man admits to killing girlfriend after an argument while on trip
SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — A man admitted to authorities that he killed his girlfriend after they had an argument at a South Carolina cabin over the weekend, according to the arrest warrant. >> Read more trending newsSevier County deputies were called about a shooting at a cabin in Tennessee around 1 p,m. Once they arrived, they found the body of Shelby Lynn Booth inside with gunshot injuries, according to WATE. Deputies detained Popoca when they arrived at the cabin as they investigated. In a warrant that was provided to WATE, deputies say that Popoca admitted to shooting his girlfriend multiple times after they had an argument.
wftv.comOfficials: South Carolina toddler died after falling into home’s septic tank
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. — A toddler has died after he fell into a septic tank while visiting family friends in South Carolina with his family. >> Read more trending newsWYFF says the two-year-old, later identified as Hawkins Dusty Abercrombie from New York, died at the hospital. The Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler told WYFF that the family was visiting friends when the incident occurred. She went looking for him around the home and she noticed that the lid of the septic tank was upside down. The boy’s body was found under the water in the septic tank, according to WSPA.
wftv.comDeputies: South Carolina man died of heart attack while burying body
Deputies: South Carolina man died of heart attack while burying body File photo. Deputies said Joseph McKinnon strangled Patricia Dent to death and was burying her body when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed. (crisserbug/Getty Images/iStockphoto)TRENTON, S.C. — Days after two bodies were found in a South Carolina backyard, sheriff’s deputies said that one killed the other, and then died while digging a grave. >> Read more trending newsDeputies with the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office told WJBF they believe Joseph McKinnon strangled Patricia Dent inside her home, and then was burying her in the backyard when he had a heart attack and died. When officers arrived, they found Joseph McKinnon, 60, who lived in the home.
wftv.comSouth Carolina earthquakes: Aftershocks rock Columbia area following rare quake
South Carolina earthquakes: Aftershocks rock Columbia area following rare quake Stock photo of a seismometer. >> RELATED STORY: South Carolina earthquake: Magnitude 3.3 quake reported northeast of ColumbiaBut the temblors didn’t stop there. This one, a 1.6 magnitude #earthquake occurred about 5 miles miles ESE of Elgin, South Carolina, at 4:39 a.m. today (5-9-22). More info: #sctweets https://t.co/tb1mD6fD1j pic.twitter.com/eZOrhXOZnP — SCEMD (@SCEMD) May 9, 2022Four. pic.twitter.com/gRtyZCEzhw — SCEMD (@SCEMD) May 10, 2022No significant damage or injuries have been reported in connection with the quakes.
wftv.comFirefighters in South Carolina rescue teen who fell into 40-foot well
Firefighters rescue teen who fell into 40-foot well View looking down into the well. (Gaffney City Fire Department)GAFFNEY, S.C. — Fire crews were able to rescue a teenager who was trapped after falling down a well in South Carolina. Fire crews lowered a firefighter into the well and were able to rescue the teen that way, firefighters said in the post. The teen was taken to the hospital, but firefighters said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. The Gaffney City Fire Department credited their training in their Facebook post, saying, “Our firefighters train often for these scenarios, that are not routine but they do happen.
wftv.comPreliminary 3.3 magnitude quake jolts South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. — (AP) — A relatively rare East Coast earthquake centered just northeast of South Carolina's capital city jolted large numbers of state residents awake early Monday, rocking the Southern state at a preliminary 3.3 magnitude, authorities said. Vaughan said the 3.3 magnitude is an early assessment and could change, adding the quake had an epicenter of about 1.5 miles (3.1 kilometers) below the earth's surface near the community of Elgin. Vaughan said only an hour afterward she had reports pouring in to the quake monitoring center. According to emergency management officials, about 70% of South Carolina earthquakes are located in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone, about 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) northwest of Charleston. The quake, thought to have had a magnitude of at least 7, left dozens of people dead and destroyed hundreds of buildings.
wftv.comPreliminary 3.3 magnitude quake jolts South Carolina
A relatively rare East Coast earthquake centered just northeast of South Carolina's capital city jolted large numbers of state residents awake early Monday, rocking the Southern state at a preliminary 3.3 magnitude, authorities said. The pre-dawn temblor lasted only seconds but a number of people took to social media to describe being shaken from sleep when the quake hit shortly after 1:30 a.m. A seismic analyst monitoring the quake for the USGS Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado, called it the latest in a series of shakes in recent months but stronger than usual. The epicenter was about 21 miles (3 kilometers) northeast of downtown Columbia, the capital city.
news.yahoo.comSouth Carolina earthquake: Magnitude 3.1 quake reported northeast of Columbia
South Carolina earthquake: Magnitude 3.1 quake reported northeast of Columbia Stock photo of a seismograph. A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck central South Carolina overnight, the U.S. Geological Survey is reporting. (Gary S Chapman/Getty Images)COLUMBIA, S.C. — A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck central South Carolina overnight, the U.S. Geological Survey is reporting. USGS reports a preliminary 3.1 magnitude earthquake near Elgin, South Carolina. https://t.co/FA0WE5IbWV — NWS Columbia (@NWSColumbia) May 9, 2022>> Read more trending newsAccording to the agency, the quake, which occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. EDT Monday, was centered about 3.6 miles east of Elgin and 21 miles northeast of Columbia.
wftv.comDenny’s acquired this local restaurant chain
ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. “Keke’s is a high-growth brand that aligns well with our core competency while providing us with an opportunity to participate in the fast-growing A.M. eatery segment. We intend to utilize the proven capabilities of our franchise-focused business model to develop Keke’s across multiple states with the long-term target of becoming the A.M. eatery franchisor of choice.” said John Miller, CEO of Denny’s, via the earnings report. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Read: Cinco de Mayo 2022: 5 places to get food, drink deals©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comProcedural ruling kills medical marijuana bill in SC House
(AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, File) (Jeffrey Collins)COLUMBIA, S.C. — (AP) — A seven-year fight to pass a medical marijuana bill may have abruptly ended Wednesday in South Carolina when a House leader ruled the proposal contains an unconstitutional tax increase and cannot be considered further. The Republican said he would spend Wednesday night looking for some other bill he might be able to attach a medical marijuana plan to that wouldn't get caught up in such a ruling. Davis' bill started in the Senate and — after considering the point for nearly three hours — Pope ruled the bill was out of order, killing it. House members voted 59-55 to back Pope's ruling, meaning this medical marijuana bill is dead for this year. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford said if Pope sticks to his ruling, it would destroy decades of work between the Senate and House.
wftv.com$61 million in refunds for customers in SC nuclear debacle
A South Carolina judge has approved a second round of refunds for customers of a utility that poured billions of dollars into two nuclear power plants that never produced a watt of power. About $61 million is being set aside for Dominion Energy South Carolina after the utility sold a number of properties as part of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit by 1.1 million of its customers over the never completed plants at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Columbia. Wednesday's agreement will split the $61 million based on power use by residential, business and industrial customers during a decade of planning and construction for the nuclear station, media outlets reported.
news.yahoo.comBond denied for former 'American Idol' star charged in crash
(Spartanburg County Jail via AP) (Uncredited)SPARTANBURG, S.C. — (AP) — A South Carolina judge has denied bond for a former "American Idol" contestant accused of killing a man by barreling into him with his pickup truck after using a marijuana vaping device. Country music singer Caleb Kennedy will remain in jail after his February arrest on a charge of driving under the influence resulting in death. Police say Kennedy drove his truck up a private driveway in Spartanburg County and struck Larry Duane Parris, 54, driving Parris into a building. Knie said she might reconsider bond for Kennedy following a psychiatric evaluation in 45 days, news outlets reported. Prosecutors at a Thursday hearing sought the bond denial and referred to a toxicology report showing Kennedy had marijuana and Prozac in his system at the time of the crash.
wftv.comGunshots ring out during youth league baseball game; send players, fans ducking for cover
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The worst thing that should happen at a youth baseball game is a blown call by an umpire or a dropped ball by a player, but fans and players had to duck for cover when dozens of gunshots were fired during a game in South Carolina. >> Read more trending newsIt happened Monday night during a Dixie Youth league baseball game at Pepperhill Park in North Charleston, WCIV reported. Luckily no one was hurt when the shooting started around 8:45 p.m. in a parking lot near the park, WCBD reported. A 16-year-old was shot and killed in the city on Sunday and there have been 11 homicides in North Charleston since the start of the year, according to WCIV. North Charleston Mayor Keith Sumey’s office is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooters, CNN reported.
wftv.comPony trotting on South Carolina interstate causes 7-car crash
Runaway pony Stock photo of a pony. A runaway pony caused a 7-car pileup on a South Carolina interstate on Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Karelltiti/Getty Images/iStockphoto)SPARTANBURG, S.C. — A runaway pony caused quite the calamity in South Carolina on Saturday. >> Read more trending newsAccording to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the pony trotted down Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County, resulting in a seven-car pileup at 11:55 a.m., WHNS reported. According to troopers, the pony was running down the highway on the northbound side.
wftv.comS Carolina officer killed responding to domestic disturbance
Police Officer Killed This photo provided by the Cayce, S.C., Police Department shows Officer Roy Andrew "Drew" Barr with K-9 black Labrador retriever Molly. Police said Barr, responding to a domestic disturbance, was killed when a man opened fire on him and two other officers early Sunday, April 24, 2022. (Cayce Police Department via AP) (Uncredited)CAYCE, S.C. — (AP) — A police K-9 officer, volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician in central South Carolina was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance early Sunday, police said. The man who shot Barr killed himself after seven-hour standoff, said the South Carolina state police, which has been asked to investigate the shooting. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's statement listed Barr's age as 27.
wftv.com1 dead, 3 injured after shooting in Myrtle Beach
Shooting: One person died and three others were injured in an overnight shooting in the South Carolina resort city. (Josiah_S/iStock)MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — One person was killed and three others were injured after a shooting early Sunday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, authorities said. Shortly after 12 p.m. EDT Sunday, police confirmed that one person had died from a gunshot wound, WMBF-TV reported. The fourth victim was treated for a gunshot wound and released, police said. The persons involved in the shooting were from the Florence County area, police wrote in their Facebook post.
wftv.com‘Our hearts are breaking’: South Carolina police officer killed in shooting
CAYCE, S.C. — A South Carolina police officer was fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance. >> Read more trending newsRoy Andrew “Drew” Barr, an officer with the Cayce Police Department, died early Sunday, police spokesperson Ashley Hunter told The State newspaper of Columbia. He was killed when a suspect opened fire on the officers, according to the television station. Officer Drew Barr has been an important part of the Cayce family since 2016,” Cayce Mayor Elise Partin said during a news conference. Partin told reporters that more information would be released when Cayce police Chief Chris Cowan addresses reporters later Sunday.
wftv.comSouth Carolina woman killed in attack by her dog, officials say
Dog kills woman: A South Carolina woman was killed by her dog on Thursday. (A. Carsten Rehderpicture alliance via Getty Images)NEWBERRY, S.C. — A South Carolina woman was killed after she was attacked by her dog, authorities said Friday. >> Read more trending newsErin Beach, 45, of Newberry, died after the Thursday afternoon attack, Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece told WLTX-TV. 'A very sad, unusual situation': Newberry sheriff says dog attack has shaken community https://t.co/blHFxvdx7Q — News19 WLTX (@WLTX) April 23, 2022Authorities said it was unclear what caused the attack. The incident remains under investigation by the Newberry County Coroner’s Office and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, WOLO-TV reported.
wftv.comEXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works
Execution-South Carolina This photo provided by the South Carolina Dept. of Corrections shows the state’s death chamber in Columbia, S.C., including the electric chair, right, and a firing squad chair, left. ( South Carolina Dept. South Carolina just instituted the firing squad option last year, giving condemned inmates the choice between that and electrocution, prompted by an inability to procure lethal injection drugs. For several years, lawmakers have mulled adding the firing squad as an option to approved methods, but debate never advanced.
wftv.comEXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works
Execution-South Carolina This photo provided by the South Carolina Dept. of Corrections shows the state’s death chamber in Columbia, S.C., including the electric chair, right, and a firing squad chair, left. ( South Carolina Dept. South Carolina just instituted the firing squad option last year, giving condemned inmates the choice between that and electrocution, prompted by an inability to procure lethal injection drugs. For several years, lawmakers have mulled adding the firing squad as an option to approved methods, but debate never advanced.
wftv.com2nd SC execution on hold after court halts firing squad plan
Execution-South Carolina This Feb. 6, 2014, photo provided by the South Carolina Department of Corrections shows Brad Sigmon. The order comes after the court this week temporarily blocked the state from executing Richard Bernard Moore, whose scheduled April 29 execution would have marked the country's first firing squad execution since 2010. Their lawyers argue that both electrocution and the firing squad are "barbaric" methods of killing. The 2021 law that now requires prisoners to choose between the firing squad and the electric chair was intended to solve that problem. The high court put that execution plan on hold, saying Sigmon needed to have a choice between the electric chair and the firing squad.
wftv.comSouth Carolina mall shooting: All 3 suspects denied bond after 15 hurt in Columbia
South Carolina mall shooting: 3rd suspect arrested after 15 injured in Columbia Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith, 19, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and battery, and unlawfully carrying a pistol. (Lexington County Detention Center)COLUMBIA, S.C. — A third suspect has been denied bond after a shooting left 15 people hurt Saturday at a Columbia mall. >> RELATED STORY: South Carolina mall shooting: 3rd suspect arrested after 15 injured in ColumbiaMunicipal Court Judge Mangum has denied bond for third @ColumbianaCtr shooting suspect, Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith deeming him a flight risk & danger to the community. >> RELATED STORY: South Carolina mall shooting: 2nd suspect arrested after 15 injured in ColumbiaAs @ColumbiaPDSC Chief Holbrook announced in the news conference, 2nd suspect arrested in connection w/the @ColumbianaCtr shooting is Marquise Robinson. pic.twitter.com/BThTfLHdIE — Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) April 17, 2022A judge denied bond for Robinson and Price on Tuesday, WIS-TV reported.
wftv.comThird suspect arrested in South Carolina mall shooting
Mall Shooting South Carolina Foot Locker store employees walk near police vehicles outside Columbiana Centre mall in Columbia, S.C., following a shooting, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) (Sean Rayford)COLUMBIA, S.C. — (AP) — Police have arrested a third suspect accused of participating in an Easter weekend shootout at a South Carolina mall that wounded nine people. The Columbia Police Department said Thursday on Twitter that Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith, 21, of Columbia, turned himself in after authorities obtained arrest warrants earlier this week. The mall shootout was one of two mass shootings that rocked the state over the Easter holiday weekend. State police are investigating after at least nine people were also shot at a nightclub in Hampton County that weekend.
wftv.comSouth Carolina mall shooting: 3rd suspect arrested after 15 injured in Columbia
South Carolina mall shooting: 3rd suspect arrested after 15 injured in Columbia Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith, 19, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and battery, and unlawfully carrying a pistol. (Lexington County Detention Center)COLUMBIA, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina have arrested a third suspect in connection with a shooting that left 15 people hurt Saturday at a Columbia mall. >> RELATED STORY: South Carolina mall shooting: 2nd suspect arrested after 15 injured in Columbia#ColumbiaPDSC Update: the third @ColumbianaCtr shooting suspect has been arrested after turning himself in to law enforcement. Detention Center on the same charges as the two previously charged suspects, Price & Robinson. >> RELATED STORY: Suspect arrested in South Carolina mall shooting granted bondAs @ColumbiaPDSC Chief Holbrook announced in the news conference, 2nd suspect arrested in connection w/the @ColumbianaCtr shooting is Marquise Robinson.
wftv.comTennessee plans 1st COVID-19-era execution, more scheduled
The execution using the state's preferred method puts Tennessee on a divergent path from South Carolina, which has been preparing for a rare U.S. firing squad execution. Smith declined to choose between the chair and lethal injection, so lethal injection became the default method. Exactly how some states have execution drugs on hand, while others struggle to secure them, is often obscured by state public records exemptions. A Tennessee Department of Correction spokesperson declined to identify the source of its execution drugs, which can be manufactured or compounded. Brad Little signed legislation banning officials from revealing — even under court order — where they obtained execution drugs.
wftv.comCourt halts South Carolina plan for firing squad execution
of Corrections via AP) (Uncredited)COLUMBIA, S.C. — (AP) — South Carolina’s highest court on Wednesday issued a temporary stay blocking the state from carrying out what was set to be its first-ever firing squad execution. The last execution by firing squad in the U.S. was in 2010. It has been more than a decade since the last firing squad execution in the U.S. Their lawyers argue that both electrocution and the firing squad are “barbaric” methods of killing. Moore is also separately asking a federal judge to consider whether the firing squad and the electric chair are cruel and unusual.
wftv.comKentucky stuns No. 1 South Carolina to win SEC women's title
Dre’una Edwards hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4.2 seconds left, and the Kentucky Wildcats rallied from 15 points down to upset top-ranked South Carolina 64-62 to win their first Southeastern Conference women’s tournament championship since 1982 and second all-time.