South Carolina fire departments will receive $1.2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help them respond to fire and hazards in their communities.

The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants to local fire departments. The program provides departments with the tools and resources to protect the public and their firefighters.

The grants can be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs, buying new equipment or buying firefighting vehicles including pumpers, tankers and rescue vehicles.

Fire departments in Abbeville, Anderson, Belvedere, Blacksburg, Calhoun Falls, Lancaster, Orangeburg, Ridgeville, Rowesville, Spartanburg, Union, Williamston and Williston were awarded the grants.

• Man’s body found in S.C.; couple charged

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — A Rocky Mount, N.C., couple has been charged with murder in the death of a 61-year-old pawn shop owner whose body was found in South Carolina.

Thirty-eight-year-old Kirk James Keller and 26-year-old Jessica W. Keller were arrested Wednesday and charged in the death of 61-year-old Kenneth Mac Richardson of Nashville, N.C.

Richardson’s body was found in Darlington County.

He was last seen a week ago leaving an Edgecombe County, N.C., flea market in his pickup. Family members reported Richardson missing the following day.

Detectives think Richardson was at the Kellers’ home on Oct. 22, and that’s when he was killed.

• AIKENGraniteville man sentenced in slaying

A Graniteville man has been sentenced to life in prison on murder, kidnapping and armed robbery charges in the shooting death of a teen who was parked along a remote dirt road with a girlfriend.

Cedric Coldan, 33, killed 19-year-old Christopher Carroll of North Augusta in December 2003, prosecutors said.

“This was senseless violence directed at somebody who just started their life,” Judge Reginald Lloyd said before sentencing Coldan to the maximum penalty.

Coldan did not testify during the trial.

• CHARLESTONStudent is charged in bus stabbing

A 16-year-old girl has been charged with assault and battery with intent to kill after a special education student was stabbed with a pair of scissors.

The injured student, who is 19, was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina. His injuries were not life threatening, police said.

The student charged in the attack was taken to the Charleston County Juvenile Detention Center.

The incident happened on a school bus Thursday afternoon. About 28 students were on the bus.

Both students were from Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy. Police had not determined a motive.

Contributing: The Associated Press