Across South Carolina

Pick 3, Pick 4 lottery problems are fixed

COLUMBIA - Sales and payouts for Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets have returned to normal after a technical problem was corrected, South Carolina lottery officials said Friday.

Sales of those games were suspended Thursday after there was a problem upgrading software.

Lottery officials said Scientific Games International, which runs the state's online numbers games, was able to fix the software problem. The Palmetto Cash 5, Powerball and instant games were not affected.

SWAT team member's rifle stolen from truck

COLUMBIA - A semiautomatic assault rifle and three magazines loaded with armor-piercing ammunition were stolen from the truck of a Columbia SWAT team member outside his home, police say.

The officer, James Patrick Auld, heard his car alarm at about 3 a.m. Thursday, ran outside and chased the thief, who got away, Columbia Police Chief Dean Crisp said.

The AR-15 Bushmaster rifle stolen from Officer Auld is available to the public and frequently used for hunting, Chief Crisp said.

Officer Auld is always on call, and Columbia police policy allows officers to store their weapons in the vehicles as long as they use secure storage.

Five are charged with prostitution at salon

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH - Officers on an undercover visit to a Grand Strand tanning salon say the lack of tanning beds inside tipped them off to a whole different type of business taking place.

Three employees and two customers were charged with prostitution and related charges after the undercover visit last month, police said.

Inside, the undercover officer found makeshift beds and other evidence people were being paid for sex.

AME churches meet to review year's work

GREENVILLE - Members of the state's 634 African Methodist Episcopal churches are meeting in Greenville to review the year's work.

Presiding Bishop Preston Warren Williams II said there will be a move to help women in ministry, hospices, and the Boys and Girls Club.

The session is an opportunity for the ministry groups of the church to present their plans and to review the agenda during the next 12 months.