Rape victim expresses thanks for law's passage

Rape victim Joanna Katz thanked Gov. Mark Sanford, state lawmakers and especially law enforcement for a new state law that reformed the state's parole process in favor of victims and their families, supporters say.

"I know now that in the United States, we now have one state that has stepped up to the plate, stepped forward and said we will do something about it," Katz said at a news conference Wednesday at Charleston County Courthouse.

In 1988, Katz was abducted at gunpoint by five men who raped, beat and tortured her. The men were convicted, but Katz set out to help reform the parole process. A law passed by the Legislature this year requires parole hearings to be held the same day if more than one person is convicted of a crime against the same victim.

It also will allow victims to provide testimony to the parole board via closed-circuit television so they don't have to make the trip to Columbia. A pilot program is being explored at Trident Technical College.

Man in critical condition after crashing on moped

A Johns Island man was in critical condition from head injuries after crashing on a moped on Nabors Drive on Tuesday night.

Authorities said Randy Westervelt, 28, and his wife, 28-year-old Laura Westervelt, were both on a moped on Nabors Drive when they crashed for unknown reasons at about 10:53 p.m. Tuesday.

"We don't know why they crashed and so far have been unable to find any witnesses," said Capt. Dana Valentine of the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.

Randy Westervelt was taken to Medical University of South Carolina. Laura Westervelt received minor injuries in the crash.

Woman escapes, 2 sons die in house fire in Greer

GREER--Two brothers were killed in a house fire Wednesday, but their mother was able to escape the blaze, authorities said.

Michael Antonio Jones, 27, died of smoke inhalation and Corey Tyrone Jones, 22, died from burns, Spartanburg County coroner's investigator Terra McAbee said. Their mother, Angela Jones, was able to escape, Greer police said.

McAbee said both men initially had gotten out of the house with their mother, but Corey Jones returned to see whether his sister was caught inside. She was not at home at the time of the fire. Michael Jones went in after his brother.

Firefighters responded to the blaze about 5 a.m. and saw flames coming from an upstairs window.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Streisand lends support to Tenenbaum for Senate

COLUMBIA--Democrat Inez Tenenbaum has received help from at least one Hollywood celebrity in her bid for U.S. Senate.

Barbra Streisand sent Tenenbaum, the state's education superintendent, $1,000, according to campaign finance records.

The singer and actress has helped raise money for several Democratic candidates, including presidential candidate John Kerry. At a recent fund-raiser for Kerry, Streisand sang a special 2004 election version of her song "People."

The song poked fun at White House figures, including President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, "the spookiest person in the world."

State Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson questioned why Tenenbaum, who is targeting independent and moderate voters, would want support from Streisand.

"Her campaign is being backed by one of the most far-out, ultra-liberal musicians of our time," Dawson said.

Tenenbaum's spokeswoman Kay Packett said her campaign represents many people.

"People across the political spectrum give to Inez because they like her independence," Packett said. "It doesn't mean she agrees with everything they believe."

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