Religious group sued over sexual assault

MYRTLE BEACH - A man says a religious organization where he used to work failed to properly screen and monitor another employee who is accused of assaulting the man's teenage daughter.

Dave Lewis has sued Myrtle Beach Christian Retreat Inc. after his former co-worker, Duane Masten, 43, was charged with criminal sexual conduct in connection with an incident last July.

"You're supposed to be protecting your daughter, not putting her in danger," said Mr. Lewis, who worked as a handyman at the retreat that provides housing and religious services for youth groups and other church organizations at its four-acre campus in North Myrtle Beach.

According to the police report, Mr. Masten invited the girl to his apartment after they left the beach and assaulted her. His attorney, Thomas Brittain of Myrtle Beach, said his client "has steadfastly maintained his innocence of any and all wrong doing."

Contractor cleans up oyster bed damage

BLUFFTON - State officials say the contractor responsible for smashing oyster beds and leaving behind rusted marine debris at the H.E. Trask Landing has cleaned up the mess.

State Natural Resources Department biologist Nancy Hadley said she hopes to reach an agreement with Santee Modular Homes about reparations.

About two-thirds of the oyster beds on the east side of the landing were damaged, Ms. Hadley said. The beds were about 4 years old.

Bullet pierces trailer, killing man in his bed

GREENVILLE - Police say a man who was fatally shot as he lay in bed inside his mobile home was likely an innocent victim of outside gunfire.

The 52-year-old man, who was not identified, was shot Sunday morning at a Greenville County trailer park, police said.

The bullet went through the side of the trailer at the Oak Grove Mobile Home Park in the Gantt area, said Chris Taylor, a spokesman for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots near the victim's mobile home.

"We don't have a motive or a suspect identified," Mr. Taylor said.

Two men perish in separate drownings

MYRTLE BEACH - Officials say one man drowned last weekend off Myrtle Beach and the body of a second man missing since Monday has been recovered along the beach.

Michael Vargo, 54, of Maple Heights, Ohio, was pronounced Friday at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said.

Ms. Willard said Mr. Vargo got into deep water near Sands Ocean Club and was unable to get back.

On Thursday, officials recovered the body of Cesar Vital, 20, of Myrtle Beach, near 15th Avenue South.

He had been missing since Monday.