COLUMBIA

The South Carolina Democratic Party fund-raiser featuring national party chairman Howard Dean was canceled Wednesday night because of bad weather.

Dean’s flight out of Philadelphia was delayed until it became impossible for him to arrive in Columbia Wednesday night.

“We are certainly disappointed but are thankful for his efforts,” state party chairman Joe Erwin said.

Dean was scheduled to attend a party fund-raiser at 5 p.m. and address a rally at Jillian’s at 5:30 p.m. The state party said it would offer refunds to those who had purchased tickets.

RICHLAND 1

• Payroll supervisor admits taking $58,281

Richland 1’s former payroll supervisor, charged with embezzling money from the school district, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the charges against her, authorities said.

Gloria Cooper, 48, pleaded guilty to embezzling $58,281 from the district and to a computer crime offense, said Megan Burleson, assistant solicitor for Richland County.

Cooper received two five-year suspended sentences. She will be on probation for two years, meaning if she violates the terms of her probation, she could have to serve time in jail, Burleson said.

Cooper could have faced up to 15 years in prison in addition to fines.

Cooper embezzled the money between September 2001 and August 2004, Burleson said. Her employment with Richland 1 was terminated in September 2004 and she repaid the money in November 2004.

LEXINGTON COUNTY

• Texas fugitive arrested in Gaston

U.S. Marshals arrested a Texas fugitive who had been on the run for six years, South Carolina authorities said.

Christine Lynn Morgan, also known as Christine Lynn Herrerra, 29, was wanted in the theft of more than $20,000 from the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball organization in 1999, according to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Marshals learned Morgan might be in Lexington County on Monday afternoon and located her at a Gaston residence by Tuesday morning, the release said.

The Lexington County Sheriff's Office assisted in the arrest.

WEST COLUMBIA

• Friends of Library hosting book sale

The Friends of Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library are hosting a book sale from today though July 15 at the library, 1500 Augusta Road in West Columbia. This sale features many nonfiction titles, including, self-help and religion books, biographies and older sets of encyclopedias.

All proceeds benefit the library.

The library is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 5 p.m.

Contributing: Staff writers Lee Bandy, Ellyde Roko, John O’Connor and The Associated Press