Upstate sees sharp increase in overdose deaths
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Police in the Upstate have reported a sharp increase in drug overdoses involving a powerful painkiller called fentanyl.
Authorities say the painkiller is often put into other drugs like heroin so dealers can extend the supply and sell more.
The Greenville News reports that Greenville County has seen 20 fatal fentanyl overdoses in the past year, while Spartanburg County has reported 10 deaths.
Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine, and only a small amount can cause nearly instant, fatal overdoses by shutting down breathing. Authorities say they have found bodies still clutching needles right after injecting heroin laced with fentanyl.
In some case, investigators say the overdosing victims likely didn't even know the heroin was laced with the painkiller.
Carowinds ride briefly stalls, stranding riders 150 feet up
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Carowinds spokeswoman says a ride malfunctioned at the amusement park, leaving riders stuck about 150 feet in the air for less than 15 minutes.
Spokeswoman Laresa Thompson told media outlets that a safety feature on the WindSeeker ride shut it down around 2:45 p.m. Saturday, stranding riders in their swings.
The park got the ride running again in less than 15 minutes and all the passengers off the swings safety. Authorities reported no injuries. The ride was operating again in about three hours.
The WindSeeker takes riders on swings about 300 feet above the ground. It has shut down three times in the past three years.
Attempted murder charge after newborn left in trash bin
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say they charged a 23-year-old woman with attempted murder after she let her baby in a trash bin not long after she was born.
Police told media outlets that two brothers throwing away trash at a Myrtle Beach apartment complex Thursday heard faint crying and other noises and jumped in the bin to find the infant who still had her umbilical cord attached.
A local hospital says the infant is in stable condition.
Shelby Taylor turned herself into police after investigators released pictures of her and said she was wanted for abandoning the child. She was taken to the hospital to get treatment for giving birth and was charged with attempted murder when she was released.
She is free on bail. It wasn't known if she had a lawyer.