5 rescued after getting lost in Congaree National Park
GADSDEN, S.C. (AP) — A family of five has been rescued after getting lost in the Congaree National Park southeast of Columbia.
Columbia Fire Department spokesman Brick Lewis told local media that the family had been canoeing in the park Tuesday evening when they got lost and called 911.
The parents had three children with them, ages 10, 12 and 15.
Lewis said 16 people conducted the search using kayaks and on foot through the park. The search on the water was difficult because of unpredictable currents and large debris after flooding in the area.
Rescuers found the family after about 3 hours.
No one was hurt.
Greenville prosecutor wants to close strip club
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The prosecutor in Greenville wants to close a strip club where sheriff's deputies have been called nearly 300 times in the past three years.
The Greenville News reported the records from the sheriff show that deputies have been called to Platinum Plus 282 times since the beginning of 2012.
Prosecutor Walt Wilkins has filed a lawsuit seeking to close the business as a public nuisance.
A woman who answered the phone at the business Wednesday would not talk about the lawsuit.
The sheriff's records show deputies were called to the club 52 times because of a disturbance. Officers were called 49 times to investigate a suspicious vehicle.
A hearing is set Friday morning on whether to allow the club to remain open while the lawsuit goes to trial.
Experts convening in SC for summit about marijuana use
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — National experts in a variety of fields are gathering in Columbia this week for a summit on marijuana.
A conference entitled "The Blunt Truth: Today's Marijuana" is taking place Thursday and Friday at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services is among sponsors of the event at which experts in fields from pharmacology to law enforcement and public health plan to share information and encourage participants to collaborate at the local level.
Representatives from organizations including the U.S. Forest Service, the National Marijuana Initiative and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are scheduled to attend.