Officer charged with misconduct over cash

COLUMBIA - A Marion police officer has been arrested for accepting hundreds of dollars from a man after telling him she could change his driving record, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.

Kelly E. McCaskill, 25, of Marion, was arrested Friday and charged with breach of trust and misconduct in office. She told a Dillon County man she could have his driver's license reinstated for $300 and needed an additional $400 for the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, according to a sworn statement by a SLED officer.

Completion of that program is required for drivers whose licenses have been suspended for driving under the influence and must be on file with the department before driving privileges are restored, according to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Web site.

Homeless man freezes to death in car lot

ANDERSON - A homeless man froze to death Friday morning in a vehicle on a used car lot in Anderson, according to the coroner's office.

An employee at the lot found 66-year-old Larry David Whitfield dead behind the wheel of a small car at the Harbin and Sons car lot at about 10:30 a.m., Deputy Coroner Don McCown said.

An autopsy found Mr. Whitfield died of hypothermia, Mr. McCown said.

Mr. Whitfield did odd jobs for the car lot, which allowed him to sleep in the vehicle, Mr. McCown said.

City council expected to pass loitering ban

NORTH CHARLESTON - An anti-loitering ordinance being considered by North Charleston City Council might deter the impromptu gatherings on property and street corners in the city's seedier sections.

City Council is expected to pass a ban on loitering next month. Its Finance Committee voted unanimously last week to support the prohibition. Violators would face a fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail or both. They also can be banned from a particular area of the city.

Father charged with negligence in death

BAMBERG - The father of a 22-month-old boy who died after being mauled by four pit bulls has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities say.

Michael Anton Young Jr., 25, was charged last week with criminal negligence and disregard for the safety of a child in connection with the November 2006 incident, according to an arrest warrant.

The child was asleep in his father's bed Nov. 4 when the father stepped outside to talk to his landlord, deputies said. When Mr. Young came inside, he found the child on the floor, being mauled by the dogs.