Across South Carolina

Penguin exhibit arriving at aquarium

CHARLESTON, S.C. - They're getting ready for the march of the penguins at the South Carolina Aquarium as the first section of a new exhibit arrives this week.

The four-ton structure, which will be the habitat for penguins in an exhibit to be called Penguin Planet, arrived by truck at the Port of Charleston on Monday.

After being transported to a barge, it will be taken to the waterfront aquarium on Wednesday where windows will be removed so it can be rolled inside. The endeavor was first planned for Tuesday but is being delayed one day because of forecasts for bad weather.

Aquarium spokeswoman Beth Nathan says the structure will provide 500 square feet of exhibit space for Magellanic penguins in an exhibit to open in March.

Honda of SC to stop production for 3 months

FLORENCE, S.C. - Honda of South Carolina has announced it will stop production during the months of March, April and May because of the country's weakening economy.

The Morning News of Florence reports that Jeff Helton, Honda's assistant vice president for support services, said the company will not lay off its associates or close the Timmonsville-based plant during that time.

Helton said the company has offered voluntary separation packages.

He said associates were notified in December of the company's plans to stop production in March. Associates were notified Monday morning that production also would be stopped for April and May.

The company's Web site says Honda is the manufacturer of all-terrain vehicles and personal watercrafts.

New publisher named for 3 Carolinas papers

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The New York Times Regional Media Group has named a new publisher to oversee three newspapers in the Carolinas and their affiliated magazines and Web sites.

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reported Monday that Roger Quinn will take over as publisher. He will also oversee two North Carolina papers: The Dispatch of Lexington and the Times-News of Hendersonville.

Quinn replaces David Roberts, who retired last month.

Quinn began his career with The Gadsden Times in Alabama in 1966 and then worked as advertising director and general manager for The Ledger-Independent in Maysville, Ky., and as publisher of the Journal-Record in Hamilton, Ala. He returned to The Gadsden Times in 1983, served as advertising director from 1987 to 2000, and then as publisher.

Michelin introduces tire designed to help save gas

Michelin is offering drivers a new tire that's designed to improve fuel economy and safety.

The company announced Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the Michelin Energy Saver All-Season tire will go on sale this summer.

Greenville, S.C.-based Michelin North America Inc. says the tires improve fuel-efficiency by decreasing energy loss between the tire and the road, and they bolster safety with better grip.

Michelin also is introducing the next generation of its HydroEdge tire, which is billed as long-lasting and carries a 90,000-mile warranty.