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Inspector General to retire after a year in office

April 30, 2012 by

The Governor’s Office confirmed Monday that state Inspector General James Martin will retire from the agency in June.

Inspector General James Martin (File)

“We are working with Jim Martin so that when he retires, we transition into a stronger agency,” spokesman Rob Godfrey said in a statement.

Martin could not be reached Monday, although his office said he would speak to South Carolina Radio Network on Tuesday. The Inspector General’s Office is tasked with investigating “waste, fraud, and abuse” in state agencies. Godfrey said Martin, already retired from the private sector, had only intended to guide the office through its infancy.

The announcement still caught many by surprise, especially as Martin was in attendance at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. Governor Nikki Haley had asked his office to review agencies’ security systems following a breach of Medicaid recipients’ personal information two weeks ago.

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Filed Under: Featured, News, Politics & Government

Wilson: Both ports need to be dredged

April 30, 2012 by

Last week, the South Carolina state Senate approved legislation that would call for the borrowing of $120 million dollars to cover the federal government portion for the Charleston harbo dredging project.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Lawmakers made the move out of fear that Congress may not come through with its share because of possible debt reduction moves. South Carolina legislators want to put the port dredging on the fast track because of the competition with the Savannah port.

However, in an interview with Greenwood affiliate WCRS, 2nd District Congressman Joe Wilson says cooperation not competition would help both ports.

“I have been representing Beaufort County, and I have been very impressed that Savannah and Beaufort, Georgia and South Carolina work together,” he said, ”I truly believe we should be working together to benefit Charleston and Savannah.”

The Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to put forward $120 million to match South Carolina’s $180 million for dredging the Charleston port.

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Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

South Carolina gas prices decline

April 30, 2012 by

AAA Carolinas says South Carolina motorists are paying less at the pump this week.

The statewide average price is about $3.60 per gallon.

That’s about 3 cents cheaper than last week and about 10 cents less than at the same time last year.

The price of gas in South Carolina peaked this year on April 9 at an average price of $3.74 per gallon.

AAA says prices have since been declining daily.

Last year, the state’s spring average price peaked on May 12 at $3.75 per gallon and then dropped nearly 23 cents by the end of the month.

AAA Carolinas CEO David Parsons says he hopes that trend repeats this year.

The price of gas in South Carolina is currently the fourth lowest in the nation.

Filed Under: Economy, News, Transportation

Two Charleston police officers hospitalized after crash

April 30, 2012 by

Two Charleston police officers were hospitalized Monday morning after a tractor trailer crashed into their cruiser on the Ravenel Bridge.

A portion of the Ravenel Bridge was shut down while emergency crews worked to free the officers from their car.

The officers had stopped to help a disabled vehicle when the semi-truck hit them from behind.

The accident left northbound traffic from Interstate-26 to Mt. Pleasant blocked. Southbound traffic was unaffected.

Crews were able to clear the wreck and reopen all lanes a short time later.

Charleston Police spokesman Charles Francis says both officers were conscious and alert. Francis says both officers are expected to be okay.

The State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident and will determine if any charges will be filed.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, News, Transportation

Men in wigs bungle two burglaries

April 30, 2012 by

Two men dressed in women’s wigs come up empty in two burglary attempts in Charleston.

Charleston Police are looking for two men who were dressed up in wigs and padded shirts during two armed robberies Friday night. Investigators say a man who looked to be between 20-25 years of age came into the Triangle Lanes Bowling Alley at 11:20 p.m. and demanded money from the cashier. The cashier became nervous and turned away from the suspect. Police say the suspect then left the business without getting any money.

Five minutes later, two men entered the front lobby of a hotel that is next door to the bowling alley. Authorities say one of the suspects pointed a handgun at the desk clerk and demanded money. The clerk ran to the back room and the suspects fled the hotel before getting any money.

Officers say no one was hurt in either incident.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, News
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