A Lexington County man was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison for killing his friend in a dispute over the annual South Carolina-Clemson football game. James Quick pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the November 26, 2006 death of 43 year old Richard Johnson. Johnson died of a single gunshot would to th chest from a high-powered rifle. Prosecutors say the Lexington residents hunted together that morning, then drank beer and watched the game. Quick and Johnson had earlier bet $20 on the game. Quick picked the game winner that day South Carolina, while Johnson wagered on Clemson. Authorities say Quick and Johnson later got into an argument. During the altercation, Quick went to his car and got his hunting rifle and shot Johnson.
House Speaker issues statement on governor’s investigation
August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
STATEMENT RELEASED BY HOUSE SPEAKER’S OFFICE:
Today House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued the following statement about Governor Mark Sanford’s alleged ethical and legal violations and how the House should address these concerns:
“Any actions taken by the General Assembly regarding Governor Sanford must be based on the facts, free of any political motives. That is why I have supported the call for a full investigation into these charges against Governor Sanford by the State Ethics Commission. The report from the Commission should be the basis the House uses to take appropriate actions. It is crucial that this discussion be handled in the most professional manner possible. I urge Governor Sanford to allow the Ethics Commission to do its work in the open so that all can see that it is a public and transparent process.
“This weekend, the House Republican Caucus will hold its 15th annual agenda planning meeting. This is an event that we have every year for the purpose of planning the legislative agenda for the House Republican Caucus. After spending the summer months talking with constituents, community and business leaders back home about issues concerning our state, Caucus members use this meeting as an opportunity to begin work on next year’s legislative agenda. [Read more...]
SC glass company closes
August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A South Carolina glass company in Charleston is shutting down. Coastal Glass Distributors sent a letter to its customers on Tuesday claiming its doors will close to business, after operating in North Charleston for 12 years.
The Post and Courier reports the glass company, that has provided housing products, was no longer able to withstand the current economic crisis. Company president Jack Hoey says the company will eliminate around 150 jobs as a result of the closing, but they hope to help these employees find other jobs.
Coastal Glass had an automotive glass component up until 2001, when the company sold it to build a client base of architects, retailers, manufacturers and glazers.
The company began operations in 1986 as a wholesale distributor.
Governor to respond to Thomas – in Thomas territory
August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Governor Mark Sanford is now taking his battle the state senator who has been investigating him, and making his stand at his critic’s front door. The governor this morning is holding a press conference to address the study being conducted by Senator David Thomas of Greenville. The media availability will be held across the street from Senator Thomas’s law office in Greenville.
Senate Republicans leaders say they have asked Sanford to resign in the past with no success. Yesterday, the governor took a more defiant stance when Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer called for his resignation:
Calling his move, “pure politics, plain and simple.”
Bauer, in the way he set up the mandate, announced his intention to run for governor, without having to officially file for it.
An impeachment process begins in the SC House however, House Republicans meet this weekend to decide how to handle that.
At a private meeting in Myrtle Beach— Republican House members will take on the topic, among other items in their legislative agenda. Senior members of the House and Senate have confirmed that the possibility of impeachment will be discussed by the Republican caucus.
Sanford declines Bauer’s resignation invitation, takes defiant stance
August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Gov. Mark Sanford
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer
Mark Sanford says thanks for the offer, but he refuses to be railroaded. The governor responded to Lt. Governor Andre Bauer, who hours earlier called for Sanford’s resignation.
Listen:Sanford Press Conference
Listen: Bauer Press Conference
Bauer said he would give up his own gubernatorial bid if Sanford resigned or was impeached–as long as it happened within one month.Sanford said he has already sent a letter in response to Bauer. “What I say in this letter is that I’m not going to be railroaded out of this office by political opponents who were not fans of mine in the first place. Or to put it another way, what is going on now is pure politics plain and simple.”
Sanford said he would be like “heaven on earth” for him to escape the media blitz that he has faced over the last two months, but he said that he had a lot of good to do for the state during his last year and four months in office. He also insisted again that his travel record speaks for itself.
Sandford has said in the past that he has not taken any first-class business trips while in office, and he said that less was spent on his business-class travel than other South Carolina governors have spent. He said he has been looking into some travel expenses on his own.
Bauer said that he will forego his planned run for governor, if Sanford resigns, or if state lawmakers move forward immediately to impeach him. If not, Bauer says he will run. He says he’ll wait one month before announcing. Bauer says if taking himself out of the race helps the state to move forward, then he’s willing to do it.
Sen. David Thomas
But the chairman of a state Senate subcommittee looking into Sanford’s travel expenses says he approves of Bauer’s resignation request, calling it a gracious offer.
Senator David Thomas says some members of the House are meeting this weekend to discuss the possibility of impeachment proceedings.
