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print thisSanford signs legislation to cut property tax in 2007
Gov. Mark Sanford on Saturday signed a bill that will reduce property tax bills and raise the state’s sales tax to pay for the cut.
Sanford said the law will cut average homeowner tax bills by 60 percent. The law also reduces the sales tax on groceries to 3 percent from 5 percent.
The governor said lawmakers should have done more to provide tax relief to residents in a year when state revenues increased by $1 billion. “We’ve said from Day One that a significant dividend ought to be returned to the taxpayers — and by signing this bill, we’ve taken a step toward meeting that goal,” Sanford said.
The changes take effect in June 2007.
ORANGEBURG
• Motorcyclist killed in collision with van
An Orangeburg man died Friday evening after his motorcycle collided with a van that was turning into Orangeburg’s Regional Medical Center, county Coroner Samuetta Marshall said.
Shelton Sistrunk, 28, died a short time later at the medical center, Marshall said. He was not wearing a helmet and was thrown from his motorcycle. The crash occurred about 6:50 p.m. Friday on Cook Road, according to the Highway Patrol.
At least two other motorcyclists also died Friday in South Carolina, the patrol reported. William C. Clauss, 56, of York died when his motorcycle struck a deer at 2:20 a.m. Friday on Riddle Mill Road in York County. Mark R. Magaruh, 41, of Greenville, died in an accident at 11:42 p.m. Friday on Mountain Creek Church Road in Greenville County.
Contributing: Staff Writer Rick Brundrett and The Associated Press
• Blaze damages Cedar Terrace home
Columbia firefighters are investigating a suspicious blaze that heavily damaged a home on Cedar Terrace on Saturday.
Elise Campbell told firefighters her 3-year-old granddaughter alerted her to a fire on the back deck about 3 p.m., said Battalion 4 Fire Chief Wayne Lucas. Campbell, her daughter and granddaughter safely escaped the home. The blaze gutted a roof section, and there was smoke and water damage throughout the house, he said. Total damage was estimated between $150,000 and $180,000, Lucas said.
• Woman rescued from car that crashed into creek
Columbia firefighters Saturday evening pulled a woman out of a car that crashed off Garners Ferry Road and overturned in a creek bed, Battalion 4 Fire Chief Wayne Lucas said.
Lucas said a firefighter held the woman’s head out of the water while other rescuers used air bags to raise the car. The top of the vehicle was crushed, and the woman had to be cut out of her seat belt. The woman, whose identity wasn’t available, was flown by helicopter to Palmetto Health Richland, Lucas said. The extent of her injuries was unknown Saturday night.
Contributing: Staff Writer Rick Brundrett
