Homeowner dies after discovering break-in

DARLINGTON - A 64-year-old woman has died after she came home from work and discovered someone had broken into her home, Darlington County deputies say.

Nancy R. Wright was short of breath when she went to a neighbor's home early Thursday morning to report someone had rummaged through her house, police said.

Ms. Wright fell unconscious before paramedics arrived and died at the hospital, officials said. The coroner expected autopsy results Friday.

Deputies don't think Ms. Wright confronted the person who broke into her home.

82-year-old woman drives through office

ANDERSON - Thelma Owens' passenger told her to step on it, and she did - driving her 1988 Buick through an entire business, police said.

Ms. Owens, 82, was trying to turn out of a parking lot Thursday morning when her passenger told her to hit the gas because she was pulling in front of another car. Ms. Owens' accelerated but didn't turn her steering wheel, and she ended up driving all the way through the Blue Ridge Security office, police said.

One person in the building was knocked unconscious as Ms. Owens' Buick passed through, but his family said he is expected to recover.

Ms. Owens has been charged with driving too fast for conditions.

New complex houses culinary institute

CHARLESTON - Hundreds turned out for the opening of a complex that will house a technical school's new culinary program.

Trident Technical College's Complex for Economic Development officially opened Thursday. It houses the Culinary Institute of Charleston, the school's two-year culinary program.

The 77,000-square-foot institute can accommodate 1,000 students studying hospitality, tourism and culinary arts.

Extension-cord short leads to deadly fire

WEDGEFIELD - A short in an extension cord powering a space heater caused a fire that killed three people early Friday morning, authorities said.

Firefighters were called to the brick home about 3:30 a.m.

The blaze had engulfed the living room and was spreading to the rest of the house, officials said.