70 new citizens being naturalized in SC Lowcountry
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Fourth of July is coming early for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The agency says 70 people are taking the citizenship oath Friday to become new American citizens.
The ceremony is being held at historic Middleton Place Plantation on the Ashley River outside Charleston.
Myrtle Beach woman dies in hit and run
CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Officials have identified a woman who died in a hit and run crash in Conway.
The Horry County coroner's office told local media that 24-year-old Brittany Renae Custer died in the crash from head injuries Wednesday morning.
Conway police spokeswoman Selena Small said the driver of the second car left the scene on foot. No arrests have been made.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is assisting Conway police in the investigation.
Church removes Confederate battle flags from grounds
BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — Officials say the Parish Church of St. Helena will replace Confederate battle flags decorating soldiers' graves in response to last week's massacre in Charleston.
The Beaufort Gazette reports Reverend Jeffrey Miller wrote in a newsletter Wednesday the battle flags in the historic Beaufort church's graveyard will be replaced by the first national Confederate flags. Miller says battle flags have adorned the graves of Confederate soldiers to honor the Civil War veterans, but after the events in Charleston, that flag's purpose could be misunderstood.
Miller said Thursday that about 70 battle flags were removed. Replacement flags for the gravestones still need to be purchased.
Miller says the Confederate flags were never placed there to praise the Confederacy or make a political statement.