Across South Carolina

Gamecocks' stadium to get disabled parking

COLUMBIA --- The University of South Carolina will create a special parking lot for people with disabilities who attend games at Williams-Brice Stadium, according to federal officials.

The decision to designate the lot came two years after a fan complained to the Justice Department that the school wasn't providing reasonable access to the arena for people with disabilities.

U.S. Attorney Reginald Lloyd said the university agreed to provide transportation between the lot and the stadium, which fills with tens of thousands of fans on game days. The decision was reached Tuesday, officials said.

McCain 'squad' will fight mud slinging

COLUMBIA --- Supporters of Republican White House hopeful John McCain, who was stung by political attacks in this early voting state's 2000 primary, have set up what they're calling a "Truth Squad" to counter negative campaigning as the presidential race heads to South Carolina.

The Arizona senator was the target of a whisper campaign and push polling in the 2000 race here against George W. Bush. Voters were called and asked about Mr. McCain's daughter, insinuating she was illegitimate. She was adopted from a Bangladeshi orphanage.

"Our goal is to set the record straight," said state Attorney General Henry McMaster, who is a co-chairman of Mr. McCain's campaign in South Carolina.

Coroner says baby's death was homicide

ANDERSON --- A 6-month-old girl has been declared the victim of a homicide in West Pelzer, The Anderson Independent-Mail reported Wednesday.

Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown said the child was found in cardiac arrest about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at 120 Bellview Circle.

The child was taken to the Greenville Hospital System and was removed from life support about 6 p.m. Tuesday, he told the newspaper. An autopsy determined the death to be suspicious, Mr. McCown said.

Man gets 13 years, apologizes for wreck

CONWAY --- A man whose alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit has tearfully apologized for killing a husband and wife in a crash and been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Prosecutors say 30-year-old Steven Latham's blood-alcohol level was 0.20 percent, more than double the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Investigators say the traffic light Mr. Latham ran on U.S. 501 in November 2006 had been red for eight seconds before his Chevrolet Blazer smashed into the couple's Chevrolet Malibu at 62 mph, cutting the car in half. Authorities say Lee and Donna Richardson were wearing their seat belts, but the collision was too violent to survive.

-- Edited from wire reports