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Most of the 112 tracts that would be preserved are in the rural, western half of the lake, in Newberry and Saluda counties.

The once-in-a-generation proposal outlined Thursday still would allow development of 51 miles of shoreline, much of it in the same area.

Preservationists and developers have long awaited the proposal by South Carolina Electric & Gas about how the 47,500-acre lake would continue to grow.

Federal officials have pressed for more public access and less growth, to improve water quality. They must approve SCE&G’s decision as part of the utility’s relicensing application.

The walls of his once elegantly appointed office in the Osborne Administration Building are bare. A few plants are in the room, but it’s mostly just space.

Sorensen, 70, is still flushed from his morning bike ride. Six years as president of USC, and his tenure is now down to a few hours. It’s to be a half-day of work, and then it’s on to a vacation with his wife, children and grandchild in upstate New York.

When he comes back a week from Monday, he will begin his new work life as a special-projects collaborator in USC’s School of Medicine. A new man, a pro of sorts, will be settling into his old chair.

USC’s spokesman, Russ McKinney, pulls Sorensen aside to tell him that a fire has destroyed an apartment complex next to the campus at USC Upstate. No one’s been killed; some of the USC students who lived there were injured, though none is believed to be seriously hurt.

No details were given about Andersen’s resignation, which is effective today.

The district expects to name an interim superintendent by the Aug. 21 start of school. No timetable has been set beyond that, officials said.

Andersen’s resignation was announced Thursday after a more than two-hour closed-door meeting of the six-member school board. After a unanimous vote to accept the resignation, board chairwoman Paula Hite said the decision was mutual.

“The board and Dr. Andersen have mutually agreed to part ways,” she said in a prepared statement. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank the community for their patience and support as this matter was resolved.”

The newlyweds have been waiting for this day for nearly four months, keeping their pumpkin moist and shady.

Two plastic hoot-owls scared curious crows from their garden in Arcadia Lakes.

“You ever seen something that big?” Tina Finders said, grinning.

At the height of the growing season, the Finders’ pumpkin was putting on 60 pounds a night. It was practically growing before their eyes.

Rast said she sat on the sidelines in 2007, when opponents waged a successful campaign to defeat a proposed $256.5 million bond issue.

This year will be different, she vowed Thursday.

“We’ve got to press the case,” said Rast, a mother of five with three children still in district schools. “I think the opposition has been given too much credence and we haven’t been able to eliminate doubt.”

But bond opponent Wayne Duncan has doubts about growth projections Andersen presented and said he believes the superintendent’s departure will affect the outcome of the ballot question.

And Barrett, a Westminster Republican with gubernatorial ambitions, isn’t even the most beautiful person in his own office.

That accolade goes to his press secretary, Brecke Latham. She placed No. 2 in the annual contest by The Hill, a widely read political newspaper in Washington.

Four slots behind Latham was Ivy Larsen, a new-media aide who is helping Sen. Jim DeMint expand his online presence.

Barrett, famous for his perfect wardrobe and meticulous grooming, came in at No. 9. He was the highest-ranking of four members of Congress on the Top 50 list of comely lawmakers, aides, lobbyists and other Capitol Hill insiders.

Each day, about 1,400 World War II veterans nationally pass away, most without ever visiting the memorial in Washington erected in their honor.

Now, a new group — Honor Flight of South Carolina — wants to remedy that. They are offering free trips for 600 World War II veterans in the Midlands.

The group — headed by restaurateur Bill Dukes, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and Medal of Honor recipient Charles Murray — is seeking to raise $300,000 for six one-day flights to the World War II Memorial beginning in November.

“Our goal is to provide all World War II veterans in our area an opportunity to visit the memorial, recognizing that many will need financial and physical help,” Dukes said. “We don’t want to leave anyone behind.”

Pastides’ first move today will be symbolic — a walk from the president’s house on the Horseshoe to the Osborne Administration Building, where the university president’s office is located.

That office now belongs to Pastides, selected by USC’s Board of Trustees to succeed Andrew Sorensen, who had been the school’s president since 2002.

Pastides, 54, said Thursday that he knows being an internal candidate — he was dean of the Arnold School of Public Health and then vice president for research and health sciences before being named president — means people will not expect him to miss a beat as he moves into the top job.

“The expectation is that I’d know where some of the opportunities are,” Pastides said.

Mike Jones said his 26-year-old son, William Jones of Camden, suffered cuts to his head after being punched, as well as first-degree burns after officers placed him in a hot shower.

Mike Jones said an attorney advised him not to comment further.

Detention center administrator Flora Brooks Boyd disputed the allegations, saying William Jones punched an officer in the face about 7:45 p.m. Saturday.

Jones was cut above the eye when the officer, holding keys, raised his hands to defend himself, Boyd said.

Attorney Andy Savage will ask a circuit judge today that Sametta Heyward be released on her own recognizance, according to court documents.

Heyward has been indicted on two counts of homicide by child abuse stemming from the deaths a year ago of her 4-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter in an incident that attracted national headlines.

When police found Heyward at her Hanahan apartment last July, she was wailing, “Oh, my babies,” and told police she left her children in a hot car after a babysitter canceled.

The previous day, Heyward, a single mother, had gone to work at a county-run group home for people with disabilities, leaving her children in the car with battery-powered fans, food and drinks, authorities said.

With the economy in a slide and the housing market in crisis, states are collectively rolling up tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits in one of the worst financial crunches in the U.S. since the 1970s.

The startlingly rapid drop-off in tax revenue is forcing many states to make some hard decisions: Raise taxes? Cut programs and jobs? Dip into reserves? Borrow money? Lease or sell state assets?

“They’re all terrible choices,” Nevada Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley said of the cuts her state made in a special session last month. “I believe we should never have to make these kinds of choices ever again.”

Economists say the red ink is only going to get deeper later in the fiscal year when tax returns start coming in.

Jacques L. Hickman, 31, is charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery and accessory after the fact of murder, police spokesman Brick Lewis said.

He is in custody at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

On Oct. 31, 1999, Nicholas S. Thompson was killed in his Farrow Road home during a robbery.

Thompson owned the former ABC motel and various rental homes in Columbia and Richland County.

Deputies say Gibson Cook broke into the landfill Tuesday evening then got stuck as he tried to crawl underneath the large container.

Landfill workers say they found Cook about 12 hours later with his legs sticking out from under the bin. Emergency workers had to inflate air bags under the container to lift it and free Cook.

He was charged with trespassing and petit larceny.

The landfill has seen an increase in thefts in recent months as thieves try to find discarded scrap metal. But in 27 years at the dump, employee Charlie Brown said this was the first time anyone got stuck.

Horry County prosecutor Scott Graustein told WBTW-TV in Florence on Thursday that he plans to retry the case against Councilwoman Retha Pierce. A new trial date has not been set.

In January, Pierce was convicted in absentia on a charge of reckless driving that was the reason for the traffic stop. She has appealed, telling WBTW she had requested a jury trial in that case.

In court Thursday, Pierce testified that a bladder condition made her unable to follow the arresting officer’s commands.

Contributing: Staff writers Tim Flach; staff reports; The Associated Press

Tests will continue through the weekend, officials said.

Ingesting water contaminated with bacteria in the spill can cause nausea and ear, nose, eye and throat infections, officials said.

The victims were 20-year-old Sofonias Debebe of Alexandria, Va.; 8-year-old Deraa Hago of London; and 20-year-old Abdurahman Abdurahman, Florence County Coroner M.G. “Bubba” Matthews said. All three died at the scene of the crash late Tuesday night.

They were among 10 people in the van as it traveled northbound on I-95, authorities said.

Fifty-five children who had been moved to the Palmetto Heart Hospital and the main building Tuesday night were moved back in Thursday morning, hospital spokeswoman Tammie Epps said.

The building is using a mobile power source, which will supply power to the hospital for the next seven to 10 days, when a new transformer will be installed, Epps said.

The money comes from the state’s competitive grants program, The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News reports. A panel of legislators and the governor this year approved 214 projects worth $10 million.

Rep. Liston Barfield sponsored the vacation grant. The Conway Republican says he thinks the trip might get more German tourists to come to the Grand Strand.

The Germans will stay at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort for a week at the end of October.

The delay came after a meeting among mayors, police, Jasper County Sheriff Gregory Jenkins and the council, The Beaufort Gazette reported.

Questions were raised about the legality of the ordinance and how it would be applied.

The ordinance would make it a misdemeanor to appear in public with pants more than three inches below the hips. The maximum penalty would be 30 days in jail or a $500 fine.

The blaze early Thursday morning destroyed 24 units at the Campus Edge Apartments, university spokesman Tammy Whaley said.

Everyone in the apartments appeared to be students, and all escaped without injury, Whaley said. Deputies are investigating, she said.

By unanimous vote, after a two-plus-hour closed meeting of the six-member school board, chairwoman Paula Hite said Andersen’s resignation, effective Friday, was by “mutual agreement.”

Andersen, who joined the district two years ago, did not attend.

Hite said the search for an interim or a new superintendent would begin immediately, adding a new district leader would be in place by the Aug. 21 start of the new school year.

Andrea White and Dave Duff, attorneys who have represented the district for 15 years, said they have been in negotiations over the past several days. Coincidentally, they also were involved with the unilateral termination of Andersen’s predecessor, Dennis McMahon, just a few years ago.

University spokesman Tammy Whaley says a fire early Thursday morning destroyed 24 apartments at the Campus Edge Apartments.

Whaley says everyone in the apartments appeared to be students and they all escaped without injury.

She says Spartanburg County deputies are investigating what caused the fire.

The apartments are privately owned, but Whaley says most of the renters in the complex are students at USC Upstate, which has an enrollment of about 5,000.

The roughly 40,000 public school seniors who graduated in the spring received $83 million more in scholarship offers than last year's class. The department says the latest amount pushes the total value of scholarships earned to more than $3 billion over the past five years.

The total includes more than the scholarships students accepted. It represents all scholarships offered to students as they considered which college to attend.

The education department estimates 90 percent of the scholarships are academic, while 10 percent are athletic. The state's lottery-backed LIFE, HOPE and Palmetto Fellows scholarships account for about 20 percent of the total.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports the money comes from the state's competitive grants program. A five-member panel appointed by legislators and the governor approved 214 projects last month worth $10 million. The governor's representative was the lone dissenter.

Rep. Liston Barfield sponsored the vacation grant. The Conway Republican says he thinks the trip might get more German tourists to come to the Grand Strand.

The Germans will stay at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort for a week at the end of October, visiting local attractions.

Some officials say the money could have been better spent on television or print ads that could run for several weeks.

The rankings released earlier this week call Barrett "The sentimental quarterback" and note his penchant for starched shirts and his office's seersucker Wednesdays.

The expected entrant in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial contest is the only legislator making the top 10.

He was bested on the list by his press secretary, Brecke Latham. She ranked second.

Mr. Akins died Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of Bettie Leopard and David M. Akins Sr., was a member of First Baptist Church of Leesville and the Saluda Classic Car and Truck Club. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving in the first Gulf War - Desert Storm and was a retired truck driver.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia Pat Harmon Akins, his parents of Leesville, a stepson, Dwayne (Tiffani) Harmon of Leesville, a stepdaughter, Kimberly Lawson of Leesville, a brother, Ronnie (Teresa) Akins of Leesville, a sister, Diane (James) Hamel of St. Matthews, grandchildren, Page Odom and Payton Harmon, nieces and nephew, Tara Hamel, Austin and Olivia Riley.

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(803)532-4411

Mr. Wright, loving husband of Alma Davis, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Born in Rock Hill, he was the son of the late William Albert Wright Sr. and Mary Blanche Ballentine Wright. He was a lifelong area resident and a member of Holland Avenue Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served during WW II and retiring as a chief master sergeant from the S.C. Air National Guard. Mr. Wright loved to square dance and was a member of the McEntire Retiree Breakfast. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 61 years, Alma Wright of Cayce; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Scott Darden of Cayce; sons and daughters-in-law, Clayton Thornton of Cayce, A. Wayne and Maryanne Wright, Davis E. and Linda Wright, all of West Columbia; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Davis of West Columbia.

Mr. Wright was preceded in death by a daughter, Evelyn Joyce Wright; and son, William Alvin Wright; three brothers, Freeman Wright, Rev. Harry Wright and Robert Wright; sister, Gladys Wright; and a grandson, Joshua Darden.

www.thompsonsfuneral.com

Mrs. Smith, a native of Johnston, died Wednesday, July 30, 2008. She was a daughter of the late Lewis Mike and Loline Matheny Herlong. Mrs. Smith was a lifetime member of Harmony United Methodist Church, Senior Adult Sunday School, a loyal member of the choir, member of Harmony United Methodist Womens’ Circle One and the Johnston Garden Club. She had retired as an employee of Strom Thurmond High School.

Mrs. Smith adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening, traveling and serving the Lord. Virginia was known for her love of life and quick wit demonstrated by her catch phrase, “No fool, no fun.” She was always in good humor and when asked how she felt would reply, “Fine as frog hair.” Her warmth and genuine love for people will be dearly missed.

Survivors include a son: Bill Smith (Lisa), Johnston; daughters: Cheryl Gentry (Joe) Columbia, Genna Covar (Brad) Edgefield; a brother: Dan M. Herlong (Dot) Johnston; and grandchildren: Heather and Brent Powers, Wells Smith, Lindsay and R.J. Swindle, Jessie Gentry, Christina Covar, Garland Smith, Anne Marie Covar, Reed Covar, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by a son, Wayne, one sister and four brothers.

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

Mrs. Senger died Tuesday, July 29, 2008. Born in Winnsboro, she was a daughter of the late Wilbur J. and Catherine Cook Crouch.

Surviving are her husband, Thomas M. Senger, Jr.; sister, Sandra Knapp of Maitland, Fla.; nieces, Victoria Farley and Kim Brailey; and nephews, Jonathan Knapp and Christopher Crouch.

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

Ms. Walker died Tuesday, July 28, 2008. Born in Effingham, SC, she was a daughter of the late Walter Lee Ham and Viola Lee Ham Smyly. Formerly of Walterboro, she had been a resident here since 1953. She graduated in 1956 from S.C. Baptist Hospital with a degree in nursing. Throughout her nursing career she held various positions at doctor’s offices, industrial complexes and private duty nursing. The last 15 years of her career she spent with the S.C. Department of Mental Health until retirement. Mrs. Walker received numerous honors in her nursing career, the most notable was being voted “Nurse of the Year” in 1990, while employed at the William S. Hall Institute of Mental Health.

Lola was the most wonderful, loving, compassionate person to everyone and we will miss her and hold her dear in our hearts forever.

Surviving are her son, Sam Walker of Sandy Run, SC; sister, Barbara Kleager (Jerry) of McAlester, OK; niece, Kathy Crockett of Fernandina Beach, FL; nephews, Mike Smoak (Mary) of Beaufort, SC, Lee Ham and Jody Ham of Florence, SC, and Brent Ham (Angelin) of Greensboro, NC. Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth Fletcher, brother, Billy Ham and former husband, Charles Lester Walker, Jr.

www.thompsonsfuneral.com

The family will receive friends in Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008, with the funeral service being held afterward at 2:00 p.m., directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home of Florence, SC. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum.

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

www.leevy.com

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

She is survived by a son, Maurice “Wayne” Staton (Gina Mabry) of Conway, SC; a brother, Ed Camp of Tryon; sister-in-law, Shirley of Travelers Rest, SC; a granddaughter, Leah Kososki (Jeff) of Columbia; great-granddaughter, Julia Kososki of Columbia; a nephew who was like a son, Jimmy “Hambone” Camp (Debbie) of Landrum; three great-nieces who were like grandchildren, Heather Poore’ (Brannon), Marci Camp and Cassie Jo Camp, all of Landrum; and a great-great-nephew, Titus Poore’.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday at Fairview Baptist Church, Landrum. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Campobello Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Palmetto Chapter, 3608 Landmark Drive, Suite C, Columbia, SC 29204, and/or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, NC 28722.

Guest register is available at www.pettyfuneralhome.com.

Born in Iva, SC, Sept. 14, 1919, she was a daughter of the late William Emery Gunnin and Permelia Zeola Morgan Gunnin. She was the last member of her immediate family. She was a retired cosmetologist of over 50 years and a retired rural letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.

Surviving are a daughter, Mary Ida T. “Mit” Jones, granddaughter, Candice R. Johnson, and great-grandson, Albert L. “Trey” Johnson III, all of Newberry, SC; and special caregiver, Vivian Fedrick of Greenwood, SC.

Mrs. Turner was a Gift of Body Donor to the USC School of Medicine for purposes of medical teaching and research.

There will be a memorial service in the Chapel at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC, at a later date. She was a member of First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Greenwood, SC, and memorials may be made to First Mt. Moriah at 2107 Mt. Moriah Road, Greenwood, SC 29646-9296.

Laurie Elizabeth was born August 26, 1949, in Anderson, SC. She was the loving daughter of H. Flowe Trexler Sr. and Jimmie Kelley Trexler of Barnwell, SC. Prior to moving to Barnwell with her family, she was already winning hearts with those bright blue eyes and beautiful smile by being chosen Little Miss Clemson. This was a title that was hard to live down in later years as a loyal Gamecock.

Following her graduation from Barnwell High School in 1967, Laurie moved to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in 1972. Being selected to sing in the USC Concert Choir and Chorus directed by Dr. Arpad Daraz was a special honor during her college years. Laurie was also the former Miss Barnwell 1967. After graduation, Laurie taught various grades at Springfield, Blaney and Virginia Pack Elementary Schools before joining the staff of North Springs Elementary School in Richland School District II. She retired from teaching in 1998.

One of Laurie’s true passions was interior design, which led her back to the University of South Carolina for a second B.A. in fine arts in 1983. She was a past member of ASID. Many homes in Columbia and on Hilton Head Island were made more beautiful because of her natural instinct for space planning, color and attention to details.

Her parents of Barnwell; her twin nephews, Geoffrey and Justin Maxey Trexler, both of Spartanburg; sister-in-law, Calla Maxey Trexler of Spartanburg; and her loving family in Chapin, Linda Bowers, Big Red, Bailey and Buddy survive her. Her brother, H. Flowe Trexler Jr. and her beloved nephew, Jonathan Maxey Trexler of Spartanburg preceded her in death.

The family has entrusted J.P. Holley Funeral Home with final rites.

Ms. Davis died Monday, July 28, 2008. Born in Columbia, SC, she was the daughter of Robert Davis, Sr. and the late Ella Nixon Davis. She was a member of Zion Benevolent Baptist Church and had retired from Manor Care Nursing Home (Heartland) of Columbia.

She is lovingly survived by her son, Antonyio C. Davis; daughter, Leisha A. Davis; brothers, Joseph Davis, Sr., Fred Davis, Robert Davis, Jr.; sisters, Susie M. Hiller, Dora M. Davis, Ethel L. Davis, Emma L. Jackson, Mamie L. Goodwin, Janie Lee, Betty Potee, Ann Staten; four grandchildren.

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

Born in Belton, SC, he was a son of the late Arthur O. and Adell Cromer Hughes. Mr. Hughes received his B.A. degree in journalism from New York University and had retired from state government and was a member of the S.C. Economic Developers Association. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Lodge, S.C. Chamber of Commerce Executives and was the Abbeville Jaycee’s 1963 recipient of the Young Man of the Year Award. He was Methodist.

Surviving are his wife of the home; four daughters, Charlotte Melissa Fennell and her husband, Mark, of Anderson, SC, Gloria K. Benton and her husband, Will, of Grove Town, GA, Anita Moore and her husband, Floyd, Jr., of Cross Hill, SC, and Mary Phillips King of the home; a son, Robert A. Baker of Livermore, CA; a brother, Eddy Hughes of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Wesley Hughes; a sister, Ali Moon; and a brother, Bill Hughes.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. G. Thomas Cartledge officiating.

Mrs. Gordon died Monday, July 28, 2008. Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Frances Williams McMillan. She was a member of Emmanuel AME Church and numerous church, civic, education and community activities and organizations. She was an educator in the public schools of Richland School District One for more than 40 years.

Surviving are her children, Kathy Gordon, Vanessa (Titus) Briggs and Arthur (Maggie) Gordon; sisters, Sarah Rearden and Martha Booker; four grandchildren, two great-grands, and she was the guardian of Shondra and Dericka Peoples.

www.palmermemorialchapel.com

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

He is survived by three loving and caring children: Kevin Cray Doyle, Kelly Coleen Doyle and Shannon Mills Doyle of Columbia. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Arlene Doyle Buckley and Karen Doyle Wells, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Dr. Doyle was born in Chattanooga, TN, August 8, 1944. He graduated with a B.S. in psychology from East Tennessee State University and earned a master’s and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Georgia. In 1979, Colin Doyle joined the staff at the Dorn Veteran Hospital. Dr. Doyle dedicated his life to working with veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Central America, Panama, Persian Gulf, Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dr. Doyle was a man of love, honor, integrity and intelligence. He will be missed by this tumultuous world and remembered for his determination to assure the dignity of every man. He has accomplished his life’s purpose and we wish him peace on his final journey.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2nd 2008, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1000 Greenlawn Drive, Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 520 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201, or the Disabled American Veterans, 511 Violet St., West Columbia, SC 29169.

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

«Obituary posted: August 1, 2008»

Mrs. Fox, widow of Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Eugene Joe Fox, Sr., died Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Born in Wrens, GA, she was a daughter of the late Oliver and Ada Kirkland. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Batesburg and the Womens Evening Circle. She was an avid golfer and member of Ponderosa Women’s Golf Association.

Surviving are a son, Joseph Eugene Rusty (Marion M.) Fox, Jr., of Tampa, FL, daughters, Gail Fox (Michael) Tiller of Alpharetta, GA, and Terri Fox (Wayne) McBrayer of Charlotte, NC, grandchildren, Scarlett Anne Fox, Bishop Tiller, and Meredith Tiller. She was predeceased by three brothers.

The family wishes to express our deepest appreciation for the loving care and attention given to her by her special friend and caregiver, Marilyn Smith, as well as the staff of LMC Extended Care, Carrol Campbell Unit.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tri County Hospice 166 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210, or the American Heart Association, 520 Gervais St., Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201.

She was born in Fork Shoals, SC, April 28, 1918, to the late Clarence Ross Turner, Sr. and Myrtie Tecora Jenkins Turner.

You could say that Mildred might have died of a broken heart, leaving us just 59 short days after her husband passed away. She was a most gracious, loving and generous soul to her husband, her daughter, Linda, and her family, her brother and sisters, nieces and nephews and any person with whom she came in contact. Mildred’s career of more than 30 years was spent as a dedicated and caring teacher at McCants Elementary School in Columbia, where she no doubt touched many young lives along the way. Mildred and J.T. were members of College Place United Methodist Church for more than 40 years during their time in Columbia. Upon moving to Mauldin in 1991, they joined the congregation at Mauldin United Methodist Church. For the last four years, Mildred and J.T. were cared for in the home of their daughter in Fayetteville, GA.

She will be missed by all who survive her: her daughter, Linda Childers Beckwith and husband William A. Beckwith, of Fayetteville, GA; 3 grandsons, Brian Beckwith and wife Anne of Chicago, IL, Thomas Beckwith, Fayetteville, GA, and Stephen Beckwith, Atlanta, GA; a great-granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Beckwith of Chicago, IL; a brother, Clarence Ross Turner, Jr. and wife Anne of Greenville, SC; her loving, dedicated and always cheerful caregiver, Nancy Calhoun, of Fayetteville, GA; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by three sisters, Lois Turner Hall, Thelma Turner Thomason and Doris Turner Crawford.

Services will be held at Cannon Funeral Home Chapel, Fountain Inn, SC, at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral.

Funeral service will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Washington Street United Methodist Church. Her son-in-law, the Rev. Joe Harvard, and the Rev. Paul Harmon will officiate the service. The family will receive friends Friday from 5 - 7 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Caughman was born in Winnsboro, S.C., the daughter of the late James Marvin and Madeleine Workman Jennings. She was a graduate of Mt. Zion Academy in Winnsboro and of Converse College in Spartanburg. After graduation from Converse, she taught third grade at Shandon School, which later became Schneider School. She was president of the Tri-County Girl Scout Council and chair of the Washington Street United Methodist Church music committee and a member of the Susannah Wesley Circle. She also enjoyed her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Wistaria Garden Club, and the Astraea Study Club. She served as camp hostess and “grandmother” to the campers at Camp Rockbrook for 22 years where she was known and loved as “Coffie.” In 2005, at her 75th class reunion, she was presented the Converse Achievement Award.

In 1934, she married J.B. Caughman who died in 1964. Also preceding her in death was her oldest son, J.B. “Jack” Caughman, Jr.; her sister, Rebecca “Becca” Jennings Brice; and her brother, Robert Henry “Bobby” Jennings.

Survivors include daughter-in-law, Anne Ferguson Caughman of Callawassie Island, S.C.; daughters, Madeleine C. Ritchie and her husband, Tom of Pawley’s Island, S.C., Carlisle C. Harvard and her husband, Joe of Durham, N.C., and Lee C. Piepenbring and her husband, Mike of Georgetown, S.C.; sons, Marvin J. Caughman and his wife, Sally of Columbia, and Dr. S. Wright Caughman and his wife, Alison of Atlanta, Ga.; 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and her closest friends and caregivers, Veronica Sumpter and Ollie Milligan.

Below, officers blew open a door with explosives, stormed through the opening and rescued hostages. The officers also arrested a handful of “tangos” — police and military jargon for terrorists.

The training exercise, put on Thursday by SLED agents, introduced South Carolina to its newest business — Government Training Institute.

The company, which offers tactical training for members of police and military agencies, is moving its training headquarters here from Boise, Idaho. Corporate offices will remain in Boise.

Police and governmental agencies, such as SLED, send officers to the company to learn the latest tactics needed to uproot terrorists. The trainers are former SWAT officers, Army military police and military special forces.

Gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in the second quarter, the Commerce Department reported, primarily because of a surge in export sales powered by the weak dollar. The government’s tax stimulus package pushed consumer spending higher, but the ongoing pain in the housing market took a sharp toll on overall growth.

But that figure was below the estimate of many economists, who had expected growth of 2.3 percent, and it cast doubt on whether the stimulus package would be able to prop up the economy in the months ahead.

“It will be a slog for the economy for the next six to 12 months. The recession may be over, but it won’t feel good until this time next year,” said Mark Zandi, the chief economist of Moody’s Economy.com.

Expansion in the second quarter outpaced the first months of the year, when the economy grew at a 0.9 percent annual pace. That figure was revised down from the government’s first estimate of 1 percent.