Sanford tells Obama bailouts a bad idea

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford says he will do everything he can to fight another round of bailouts, though he acknowledges he can't do much.

The new chairman of the Republican Governors Association praised president-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday for meeting with the nation's governors so soon after his historic win. But Sanford said he told Obama that another federal economic stimulus package would worsen the economy, not help it.

Sanford has repeatedly criticized federal bailout plans for business and government.

Obama met with governors Tuesday and pledged to quickly roll out an economic plan to solve the economic crisis, including money for state infrastructure projects.

Sanford said Republican governors are split on the idea, with two-thirds agreeing with him.

Former SC treasurer moved to Atlanta halfway house

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's former state treasurer, who is serving prison time on a federal cocaine charge, has been moved to a halfway house in Atlanta.

A posting on the Federal Bureau of Prisons Web site indicates that Thomas Ravenel is at a facility for inmates preparing for release. The inmates are monitored closely, but they are expected to find jobs to help pay for living at the facility.

The bureau's information on Ravenel does not say when he was moved from the minimum security prison in Jesup, Ga., where he began serving his 10-month sentence in May. He is scheduled to be released March 27.

The 46-year-old real estate developer resigned after six months as state treasurer following his indictment in 2007. He pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Golf Cart used to show dangers of drunken driving

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston County has a new way to show students how dangerous drunken driving can be - a golf cart and so-called drunk goggles.

The goggles simulate what your vision would be like if you were driving drunk. Students are then asked to drive the golf cart through an obstacle course wearing the goggles.

The system will be demonstrated at West Ashley High on Wednesday.

If the cart and goggles don't convince students of the dangers of drunken driving, emergency medical services workers will share their stories.

They tell students what to expect should they be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. They also describe some of the injuries they have dealt with on the job.