Across South Carolina

Officials get funding to fight base closings

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COLUMBIA -Local governments will receive about $200,000 in state funds to fight potential base closings in South Carolina.

The federal government plans to announce a new round of military cuts in 2005.

The cities of Beaufort, Columbia and Sumter and Charleston County will receive $50,000 each to protect installations through studies or public relations efforts. The General Assembly appropriated the money for fiscal year 2003-04.

House OKs spending on Medicaid, schools

COLUMBIA -The House agreed Wednesday with Senate plans to spend new federal money on Medicaid and public schools.

The money is part of a tax relief package that President Bush signed Wednesday. It allows the state to put $212 million into Medicaid programs and $20 million more into public schools.

The House killed a budget proposal that would raise the state sales tax by a half-cent on the dollar. Rep. Joel Lourie, D-Columbia, said it would generate $271 million, enough to lift per-pupil spending $2,200 and head off projected layoffs of more than 6,000 teachers.

Passenger dies after crash in police chase

COLUMBIA -A Columbia woman who was a passenger in a car that was struck by a man fleeing police has died.

Beverly A. Meyers, 50, died at Palmetto Health Richland hospital Tuesday night, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. Ms. Meyers apparently suffered cardiac arrest after the crash, said George Rice, a spokesman for Richland County Emergency Services.

The man whose car hit the women's car fled, Columbia Police Lt. Thomas Dodson said. Forest Acres police had chased the man earlier after he tried to pass some bad checks at a grocery store, Lt. Dodson said. Forest Acres police had ended the chase before the crash, he said.

Prisoner escapes from exercise yard

WALHALLA -A former Seneca man jailed last month on larceny, arson and burglary charges escaped Tuesday after climbing out of an exercise yard at the Oconee County Detention Center.

Daniel Devin Roberts, 29, also was wanted for burglary in Georgia.

The jail's director, Maj. Steve Pruitt, said a state trusty saw Mr. Roberts climb over the top of a brick structure and jump to the ground.

--From the Thursday, May 29, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle