Across the area

5 killed in Aiken County crash

Four adults and a child were killed in a three-vehicle traffic accident tonight, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said.

The crash happened at about 9:30 p.m. on New Holland Road in Aiken County, he said. The victims had not been identified at 11:30 p.m.

All of those killed were in one vehicle, Mr. Carlton said.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Aiken County Coroner's Office are actively investigating the accident. Check back later for more details.

Man arrested in sting conducted on Internet

A Charlotte, N.C., man has been arrested in what authorities say was an Internet predator sting by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

Sampson Nimmo, 25, was arrested Friday after telling a person he thought was a 12-year-old girl that he wanted to meet her at an Aiken County location, police said Monday. The meeting was actually arranged by officers who used the chat room screen name of the girl, who they say had been a victim of Mr. Nimmo before.

According to arrest warrants, Mr. Nimmo faces charges of sexual battery and a lewd act upon a child under 16.

According to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, the victim told her mother that she had chatted with Mr. Nimmo about sexual intercourse and that they had met on at least three occasions.

Mr. Nimmo's bond was set at $85,000.

He also faces a charge of criminal solicitation of a minor, a felony punishable by 10 years' imprisonment, according to the attorney general's office.

Advance voting begins with 246 ballots cast

Turnout was light, as expected, on the first day of advance voting for Richmond County's sales tax referendum, said Lynn Bailey, the executive director of the county Board of Elections.

A total of 246 voters cast ballots Monday -- 70 at the downtown office on Greene Street and at the Henry Brigham Center on Golden Camp Road and 106 at the Warren Road Community Center, she said.

Advance voting for the June 16 referendum continues through Friday at the three locations.

Suspect identified in robbery, chase, crash

Authorities have released the name of an armed robbery suspect who was involved in a police chase that ended Sunday night when he crashed into a downtown Augusta hotel.

Police began following Roger A. Bettis, 28, after a robbery at Greg's Gas Plus at 525 Atomic Road shortly before 10:30 p.m., according to a North Augusta Public Safety report.

Mr. Bettis, whose address was not listed in the report, was accused of pointing an assault rifle at two store clerks and demanding money before taking the keys to a Ford Explorer belonging to one of the clerks and driving off.

Mr. Bettis was exiting onto Broad Street from Gordon Highway when he lost control of the vehicle, North Augusta Officer William Mays said.

The vehicle flipped, then caught fire.

The fire damaged the Budget Inn, which was evacuated.

Mr. Bettis was apprehended while trying to flee, police said.

He was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital with minor injuries, police said.

He faces armed robbery, assault, theft and numerous traffic charges, North Augusta Lt. Tim Pearson said.

Market research to be discussed at meeting

The Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau will hold a public meeting today to discuss a market research study.

The study was conducted during recent months by Judy Randall of Randall Travel Marketing, who visited Columbia County attractions, hotels and retail outlets. She will present her conclusions and plan of action on where to focus marketing efforts.

The public meeting starts at 10 a.m. in the Evans Government Center auditorium at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive.

Police say clerk was involved in robbery

A convenience store clerk was arrested Monday in an armed robbery at the store where she works June 1.

Tyeshia Newton, 19, of the 400 block of Long Street, New Ellenton, was charged in the robbery at the Hot Spot convenience store in New Ellenton.

Customers told police that a man with a black handgun walked into the store and ordered everyone on the floor. The man reportedly took an undisclosed amount of money.

Police are still looking for the man but have accused the clerk of being involved in the holdup.

The man is described as black, 20 to 30 years old, about 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds.

He was wearing a black, long-sleeve shirt, black pants, mask and gloves, according to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. He fled in a red or burgundy Dodge Stratus.

Aiken school board to hold budget meeting

The Aiken County Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the tentative budget as part of its meeting tonight.

The current budget does not include $6.9 million in stimulus funds the school system is to receive.

Board members are expected to discuss budget changes during the meeting.

The 7 p.m. meeting will be held at 1000 Brookhaven Drive in Aiken.

Participants must sign up to speak before 7 p.m. Budget information can be found at www.aiken.k12.sc.us.

S. Carolina to conduct evacuation exercise

South Carolina officials are advising motorists traveling near the state's coast Thursday to be on the lookout out for law enforcement conducting a hurricane evacuation exercise.

The South Carolina Department of Safety will conduct the exercise, which will test lane-reversal plans, according to a news release.

The exercise will not interfere with the flow of traffic, but law enforcement and traffic-control devices will be set up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Interstate 26, U.S. Highway 501 and U.S. Highway 544 in Hampton County; U.S. Highway 278, S.C. Highway 46 and S.C. Highway 170 in Bluffton County; Interstate 77 in Columbia; and Interstate 26 in Charleston.