Prison on lockdown after escape attempt
RIDGEVILLE --- A maximum security prison is still on lockdown after two inmates tried to escape over the weekend, prison officials said.
A guard at Lieber Correctional Institution spotted the pair trying to cut through a fence around their dormitory Saturday night, prisons spokesman Josh Gelinas said.
Officials locked down the prison, and inmates were restricted to their cells.
Mr. Gelinas said he didn't know the inmates' names or what charges had originally landed them in prison.
Both men face attempted escape charges and contraband charges for having a cutting tool.
Researcher looks to peaches for biofuel
CLEMSON --- Clemson University biosystems engineer Caye Drapcho's new research is just peachy.
Dr. Drapcho is using bacteria to generate hydrogen from rotting peaches.
Dr. Drapcho says peaches could work well as a biofuel because they have a high percentage of sugars that can be converted to hydrogen.
It could be an inexpensive way to produce power. The South Carolina Peach Council says more than 20 million pounds of peaches that are unfit for sale are thrown away every year.
Dr. Drapcho and her graduate assistants are being funded by a grant from the council.
3 boys are charged in holiday burglaries
SPARTANBURG --- An 11-year-old boy and his two 15-year-old friends have been arrested after they broke into three Spartanburg homes on Christmas, authorities said.
The boys unwrapped presents at one home and took knives, binoculars, gloves and a watch from the second home, police said.
The youngest boy was caught when the owner of the third home walked in on them shortly after they had broken in. The other two boys were arrested later.
The boys all face burglary and other charges. Their names were not released because of their ages.
Lois Johnson owns the house where the presents were unwrapped. She wants to know why the boys weren't home with their families on Christmas.
Lee County man, 30, shot to death in home
LYNCHBURG --- Investigators are looking for suspects in the shooting of a man found dead by his girlfriend in his Lee County home Christmas morning.
Authorities said 30-year-old Kenneth Wilson was shot three times in the head and left in a pool of blood in his bedroom.
Deputies said the front door of the home had been kicked in.
Investigators said they don't have a motive or any suspects in the case, but they think Mr. Wilson's killer knew him.
-- Edited from wire reports
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