The Catawba Indian Nation’s argument that it has the right to operate video gambling machines at its Rock Hill reservation is headed for the state Supreme Court.

Yesterday’s decision curbs what could have been months of delay if the case had to travel through the state Court of Appeals.

It comes as the Catawbas seek permission from the Legislature to set up a high-stakes bingo facility at Santee along Interstate 95.

LEXINGTON COUNTY

• Bodies of slaying victims found in fire identified

Authorities have identified a Lexington County couple who were slain before their home was set on fire, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said.

Dental records were used to identify James Edward Mullins, 63. Fingerprint records identified a woman who lived with him at 123 Maple Shade Lane in the Red Bank community. The Lexington County Coroner’s Office is trying to reach the woman’s relatives.

The woman was shot to death. The man’s cause of death is unknown.

Metts said investigators believe an accelerant was used Sunday to set the house on fire.

• Sewer agency wins victory in spill

Lexington County has won a $21.7 million judgment against a defunct chemical maker who knocked out a sewer plant and poisoned two creeks in Red Bank in 2000.

The damage award is slightly more than the $21.4 million Cayce won in January to recoup its expenses for repairs to a city water plant damaged in the spill.

The sewer plant damaged is no longer used after it was cleaned up and partly dismantled.

LEXINGTON-RICHLAND 5

• School project runs afoul of health officials

The state health department put Lexington-Richland 5’s school system on notice this week that companies responsible for building a new elementary school did not have a construction permit before installing water service to the Kennerly Road project.

DHEC sent a letter Tuesday advising District 5 it found a violation of the state Primary Drinking Water Regulation, which triggers a routine investigation, agency spokesman Thom Berry said. DHEC responded to a complaint that Kim Murphy of Chapin acknowledged Thursday she made while investigating how utility service installation was being handled.

Two firms overseeing construction of Oak Pointe Elementary said Thursday they now have the permit and pledged to cooperate with DHEC investigators. Findings of wrongdoing could range from a warning letter to a fine of not more than $5,000, Berry said.

Contributing: Staff writers Lauren Leach, Tim Flach, Bill Robinson and The Associated Press