Across South Carolina

Beaufort mayor faces insider trading charge

COLUMBIA --- The mayor of Beaufort was charged with insider trading Wednesday. He is accused of buying stock in a California biotech company after learning confidential information about the firm, federal regulators said.

Bill Rauch bought stock in Advanced Cell Technology Inc. after one of its executives told him about an embryonic stem cell technique the company was about to make public, the Securities and Exchange Commission said.

Mr. Rauch, who first bought stock in Advanced Cell in July 2000, agreed four years later to refer potential investors to the company in exchange for an option to buy 48,000 stock shares and a referral fee, the SEC said.

He has agreed to pay nearly $44,000 in penalties without admitting the allegations.

Riverbanks Zoo has to euthanize hippo

COLUMBIA --- A hippopotamus that was one of the first animals at Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has been euthanized after several months of illness.

Zoo officials said Wednesday that Montgomery had arthritis in two ankles, a tooth infection and digestive problems caused by pain medication. The zoo says the hippo's condition became difficult to control and treat.

"Monty," as he was also called, was the only hippo at the zoo.

-- Edited from wire reports