2 Marine Corps fighter pilots rescued off SC coast

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CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Two Marine Corps fighter pilots have been rescued from the ocean off South Carolina after their aircraft went down.

The U.S. Coast Guard says it was notified by the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort at about 5:17 p.m. Wednesday that two pilots aboard a Marine F/A-18D Hornet went down about 35 miles off the coast.

Authorities say two parachutes were spotted, indicating that the pilots had ejected. A Coast Guard helicopter from Charleston rescued the pilots about an hour after the crash.

A Marines news release says the jet suffered dual engine failure during a training exercise.

Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Christopher P. Evanson says neither pilot needed to be hospitalized.

Drivers would be fined $25 under texting bill

COLUMBIA --- South Carolina motorists who are caught sending or reading text messages while they drive would be fined $25 under legislation that won key House approval Wednesday.

With a 98-18 vote, the House gave second reading to a bill that was criticized as little more than a show, after its fines and penalties were reduced.

Opponents of the measure spent more than an hour trying to broaden the list of activities banned while driving, as they also tried to limit the penalties for texting and driving.

Republican state Rep. Kris Crawford of Florence wanted the bill to say people could be ticketed for taking off a jacket, smoking, eating a sandwich or putting on makeup while driving. He also wanted it to include a ban on drivers handling their iPods or laptop computers while behind the wheel.

Those measures were handily rejected.

The legislation is expected to get routine final approval today before being sent to the Senate, which is considering its own version.

In other news

ALMOST EVERYONE sells gift cards, and the latest seller to join the list is South Carolina's state parks. The State Park Service now offers gift cards that can be used to rent cabins, campsites, shelters and meeting facilities at the 47 state parks across South Carolina.