COLUMBIA

An S.C. attorney general’s office program designed to help combat domestic violence was recognized this week as one of the nation’s most progressive government initiatives. The program, which trains volunteer lawyers to prosecute some domestic violence crimes, started in 2003.

Harvard University and The Council for Excellence in Government named the program one of 50 semifinalists for the Innovations in American Government Awards. The six winners each will receive a $100,000 grant.

• Teens invited to college prep seminar

The Columbia Urban League will host a college preparation workshop from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at USC’s Capstone Conference Center. It will feature discussions on financial aid and scholarships, collegiate sports and leadership. Sheldon Brown, a Philadelphia Eagles starting cornerback and USC graduate, will be among the speakers.

Sessions are open to all students who were honored in the Urban League’s Young and Gifted program and other college-bound seniors. For more information, call the Columbia Urban League at (803) 799-8150.

UNION

• Man held after threatening courts

A man who police say warned he would make last week’s courthouse shooting in Atlanta “look like a picnic” has been charged with threatening court officials.

Judge Marc Westbrook denied bond Wednesday for 68-year old Paul Thompson. Thompson was upset because his daughter had recently been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of drug charges, Union Public Safety Chief Sam White said.

RICHLAND COUNTY

• Deputy turned robber dies in prison

A former Richland County deputy serving a prison sentence for bank robbery died this week, federal officials said.

Mike Temple, 53, died Monday at a penal medical facility near Raleigh, said Jody Upton, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons’ regional office. Temple was sentenced in 2002 to 18 years and three months for holding up four Columbia-area banks from 1998 to 2001.

• Handicapped patrol to seek expired tags

Richland County and the Sheriff’s Department will use an existing handicapped parking patrol to search for people who owe car taxes or have expired license tags. Starting April 4, 25 volunteers will take photos of expired tags and issue citations.

If residents don’t pay the delinquent taxes, they’ll have to appear in court and could face fines.

Anyone who spots expired tags can report them by e-mailing sheriff@rcsd.net or by calling Sgt. Barry Brown at (803) 576-3043

• Educators to honor Moore, Tenenbaum

Women educators who belong to the Delta Kappa Gamma society will pay tribute Saturday to financier Darla Moore and state education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum. Moore, the group’s keynote speaker, will be inducted as an honorary member. The society, with 2,300 members, will recognize Tenenbaum for her contributions to public education.

The convention will be at the Embassy Suites, 200 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia. For information, contact Nell Cannon at (803) 345-2107.

Contributing: The Associated Press and staff writers Ellyde Roko,Tim Flach, Gina Smith and Bill Robinson.