Across South Carolina

Three pupils face weapons charges

SPARTANBURG - Three Upstate teenagers have been arrested after being accused of bringing a gun loaded with three bullets to school.

An officer at Carver Junior High received a tip that two boys had brought a gun to campus, Spartanburg police said.

The officer didn't find the gun when he questioned the students, but he later discovered the weapon in a third boy's book bag, police said.

The boys, ages 13 and 14, have not told investigators where they got the gun or why they brought it to school, Spartanburg Public Safety Capt. Billy Norris said.

The students, who were not identified because of their ages, face weapons and disturbing schools charges.

17 plead guilty in Upstate drug ring

COLUMBIA - Seventeen people have pleaded guilty to drug charges and seven others have been indicted in an Upstate drug ring, U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Gasser said Thursday.

Those who entered pleas Wednesday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Each of the 17 faces a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, Mr. Gasser said.

One defendant, Peggy Ann Byrd, 52, of Greenville, also pleaded guilty to two counts of employing or using a person younger than 18 in a drug operation.

Each such count carries a maximum of 40 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

The defendants will be sentenced after a report is received from the U.S. Probation Office.

Prosecutors said Ms. Byrd operated a drug ring, illegally selling prescription drugs, including OxyCodone.

Mother, daughter die in apartment blaze

NORTH CHARLESTON - A mother and her teenage daughter died when fire tore through their apartment, authorities said.

Eyewitnesses said they heard explosions and smelled gasoline after the flames broke out at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in a cluster of three apartments above a restaurant.

Charleston County Coroner Susan Chewning identified the victims as Shirley Green, 53, and her daughter Sapphire, 15. Ms. Chewning said the two died of smoke inhalation.

It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put out the blaze.

There were no other injuries.

Missing Alzheimer's patient is found dead

CHERAW - A Chesterfield County man was found dead in a pond a week after he went missing from a nursing home, authorities say.

Eddie McQueen Jr., 77, had Alzheimer's disease and had walked away from the Cheraw Manor nursing home eight times before, deputies said.

An autopsy found that Mr. McQueen drowned in a pond behind the home hours after he was reported missing Aug. 13, Coroner Donnie Baker said.

Crews searched for Mr. McQueen for days before his body was found Saturday about 4 feet into the pond, authorities said.