Aiken News

“It's very telling that the Senate's first instinct is to cut employee raises rather than to once and for all shut down their legislative slush fund”

South Carolina lawmakers on Tuesday voted themselves a pension increase as other legislators scrapped plans to raise state worker pay and buy new school buses because of slumping tax collections. via Myrtle Beach Online

“We do see a difference in parking downtown and the spaces available, especially during lunchtime”

For the past month, bright-yellow chalk marks have been appearing on tires in downtown areas -- evidence of Aiken Public Safety's enforcement of the city's new two-hour parking limit. via Augusta Chronicle Online

“To be honest, when you ask me about the government...well, it's something that's supposed to be there to help the people, so why not help the people?”

South Carolina tornado victims will not get any help from the federal government. via WJBF-TV Augusta

The Albuquerque school board on Friday approved a 3-year, $250,000 contract for the district's new superintendent. via KDBC

Governor Mark Sanford says he has now sent a letter to the Federal Small Business Administration asking the agency to offer low interest loans to people and businesses that suffered storm damage in Aiken, ... via 94.3 WSC

The former chief executive of railroad owner Norfolk Southern says he never promised that his company would pay to keep open a textile mill damaged by a 2005 toxic chemical spill. via The State

AIKEN, S.C. -- A man convicted of killing three social workers about 12 years ago has told South Carolina's Supreme Court that he wants to drop his appeals and be executed. via WLTX-TV Columbia

“I didn't realize they were veterans from the hospital until the second man came. I didn't ask questions. They kept on until they brought me six. Then it was 10.”

Known as the "mother of veterans," Aiken resident Ola Hitt has been honored with the Pickens-Salley Southern Woman of Distinction Award by the University of South Carolina Aiken. via Augusta Chronicle

AGY Holding Corp. announced today that it has received consents from noteholders representing in excess of a majority in principal amount of its outstanding 11% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2014 . via Earth Times

Aiken County schools need millions of dollars to take care of long-term problems...The Aiken County School Board hired a team to check out Aiken County's demographics and school renovation needs. via WJBF-TV Augusta

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office says they arrested two men Monday afternoon when investigators discovered two methamphetamine laboratories on Hollow Creek Road in Salley, South Carolina. via WIS-TV Columbia

“Mr. Isaac was intoxicated, so we're getting conflicting information”

Police say a 24-year-old Aiken woman was shot by her boyfriend this morning when she walked into the couple's bedroom. via Augusta Chronicle

“Mr. Isaac was intoxicated, so we're getting conflicting information.”

According to a release from Lt. Michael Frank, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office is investigating why an Aiken man shot his girlfriend in the hip overnight when she walked into the couple's bedroom at 1489 ... via WJBF-TV Augusta

The Senate today joined the House in passing a resolution asking the governor to seek an extension for compliance with the federal Real ID Act, days before a deadline for states to make such a request. via The Greenville News

As South Carolinians continue to clean up after weekend tornadoes and storms, lights flickered back on, water faucets sputtered to life, roads reopened and the extent of the damage became clearer: POWER BACK ON ... via The State

Day three of American Red Cross disaster relief efforts continues. The Red Cross preliminary reports say: O More than 500 homes in the state have been damaged by the tornadoes and severe weather. via WACH-TV Columbia

CONTRIBUTE YOUR PHOTO: To submit a photo of your community, send or drop the photo off at the Carolina Chronicle, 123 Pendleton St. via Aiken Online

“The Washington Division has been providing nuclear expertise since the industry's infancy, and we are well positioned to help our clients build the next generation of plants needed to meet the growing demand for clean and dependable energy.”

A global engineering and construction company announced Friday plans to put headquarters for its nuclear energy division in the state. via GreenvilleOnline.com

“The Washington Division has been providing nuclear expertise since the industry's infancy, and we are well positioned to help our clients build the next generation of plants needed to meet the growing demand for clean and dependable energy”

URS Corporation, a provider of engineering, construction and technical services for nuclear power plants, will open a "Nuclear Center" in Fort Mill, S.C. The operation will create some 400 jobs. via Local Tech Wire

A Batesburg-Leesville High honors English teacher pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of distributing child porn and soliciting sex from an undercover Virginia police officer posing online as a 13-year-old boy. via The State