Mayor-elect Benjamin involved in crash probe sparks call for outside investigation
Columbia prosecutors were asked to weigh in as the probe of the April 21 crash enters its third week. Mayor-elect Steve Benjamin, uninjured, faced questions about possible driving faults while Deborah Rubens remains hospitalized with multiple injuries. Police say witnesses noted Benjamin’s headlights may have been off and investigators are reviewing his SUV’s computer data. The City Council planned a special meeting to decide if an outside agency should lead the inquiry, citing concerns over potential bias.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbia
South Carolina
Steve Benjamin
Deborah Rubens
Columbia Police
Tandy Carter
Benjamin
Woman Back in Jail After Release Mistake
A South Carolina woman, Rachel Easterly of Surfside Beach, is back in custody after a mistaken release from a Columbia prison. She pled guilty in 2008 to leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a four year sentence. Investigators say Easterly was released because the charge was entered as hit and run, with the incident involving 16 year old Tommy Sullivan Jr. from Garden City who died in 2007.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbia
South Carolina
Rachel Easterly
Surfside Beach
Tommy Sullivan Jr
Garden City
Easterly
Corrections Department
Josh Gelinas
Pawlenty Cancels South Carolina Trip Over Budget Woes
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty scrapped a two day visit to South Carolina due to budget troubles at home. The move follows a court ruling overturning budget cuts made without legislative approval and he met with party leaders to discuss strategy and support for Mick Mulvaney.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
ST. Paul
BMW Plant Worker Loses Arm in Greer Accident
A BMW South Carolina worker had his arm severed between the elbow and wrist while driving a forklift-like device at the Greer plant. He was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital as doctors attempt to reattach the limb. The man's identity was not released and officials investigate the incident.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Greer
BMW
South Carolina
Bobby Hitt
Greenville Memorial Hospital
Hitt
Man Held in Topless Coffee Shop Fire
Raymond Bellavance Jr. was arrested in Spartanburg County South Carolina on suspicion of burning down the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop in Vassalboro Maine last June. Bellavance, a former boyfriend of a shop waitress, had been missing since his April 2 release from Augusta jail. The owner, Donald Crabtree, reopened the business in a trailer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Augusta
Maine
South Carolina
Raymond Bellavance Jr
Spartanburg
Bellavance
Grand View
Vassalboro
Portland Press Herald
Donald Crabtree
Also Mentioned on This Page
Meg Kinndard
Associated Press
Pawlenty
Iphies Unlimited
Trolley
Aiken
Southside
Magnolia Lake Dr. Aiken
Scfineproperties.com
Paula Blessing
Aiken Properties, Inc
SC Fine Properties.com
You
Aiken Standar
Diane Daniels
Sterling, Nedilene Annettyat
Herling
Albion
Meneant
Sterling, Gekd & Orr
Hallmark
JC Penney
Shoe Department
Belk
Dillard’s
Bath & Body Works
Aiken Mall
Shop Smart
Whiskey Road
Budget Committee
David Yurman
Shep Hid
Seri
Iain
Seerlig
Bihind & Ile Reapers Rig
Rie
Windsor Fine'‘Jewelers
Washington Road
Windaortinejewelers
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