May 21, 2013

Gov.’s husband back home on 2-week leave from Afghanistan

Haley deploys

Gov. Haley embraces her husband shortly before his departure in January (FILE)

Gov. Nikki Haley has canceled scheduled events to spend time with her husband during a break from his deployment to Afghanistan.

The Associated Press reports Haley’s spokesman confirmed that Capt. Michael Haley arrived in South Carolina early Monday to be with his family for up to two weeks. Godfrey says the leave was planned and approved by the South Carolina National Guard.

Godfrey said Capt. Haley was back in the state sooner than originally expected.

The Republican governor had been scheduled to appear at two events in Charleston Monday. Godfrey says those will be rescheduled. The Governor’s Office has not released any other public appearances for the rest of the week.

Captain Haley is part of the 3/49 Agribusiness Development Team (ADT) as it works to teach Afghan farmers better techniques to grow and market their products.

The governor and their two children joined other National Guard families for a formal deployment ceremony at McCrady Training Center in Eastover on January 10.

Suspects arrested in Beech Island barber shop killing

Two Georgia men are awaiting extradition to South Carolina in connection with a deadly barber shop robbery Saturday in Beech Island.

Demarcus Booker and Raphael Wooden, both of Augusta, were arrested on warrants for murder and armed robbery.

Aiken County Sheriff’s deputies say 32-year-old Zann Worrell, Jr., of North Augusta was working at Island Cuts barber shop in Beech Island Saturday afternoon when he was shot several times after two gunmen entered the business. An incident report states Worrell was shot while fighting the robbers. He later died at a nearby hospital.

Deputies said a witness followed the pair’s vehicle into Richmond County, Georgia, while updating emergency dispatchers of their location and license plate number. Richmond County deputies caught up with them and arrested Booker and Wooden. Both men are awaiting extradition to South Carolina to face charges.

Downward trend in traffic fatalities continues

There is good news on the highway safety front, as the downward trend in traffic fatalities continues so far this year.  The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is reporting that five people were killed on South Carolina roadways over the past weekend. As of midnight May 20. 239 people have died on state roadways, compared to 324 highways deaths in the same time period in 2012. of the 174 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2013, 108 were not wearing seat belts. Also, 28 pedestrians, 20 motorcyclists and four bicyclists have lost their lives on state roadways so far this year. Richland County leads in the number of traffic fatalities with 24, followed by Greenville County with 21.

Voices from the Statehouse, week ending May 17 (AUDIO)

Haley spring

Gov. Haley defends paying for campaign staff to accompany her on state plane (file photo).

What to do with two planes owned by the state was a hot topic last week.  The Senate spent the week on the state budget, with a few detours. The House handled government restructuring and citizens got a preview of the 2014 race for governor.

Matt Long has the South Carolina legislative wrap-up of week ending May 17, featuring voices of the House, Senate and Gov. Nikki Haley.

AUDIO: Voices from the Statehouse (1:45)

Monday’s weather

Look for plenty of clouds around the state today with the possibility of some scattered showers and thunderstorms. It will be warm and muggy with highs in the lower to mid 80s. Monday night, a shower is possible in the Upstate, otherwise mostly cloudy with lows in the middle 60s. it will be partly cloudy with some fog in the Midlands and the Lowcountry with lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Weather reports are provided by South Carolina Radio Network meteorologist, Dave Williams (from WCIV-TV, Charleston).