Across South Carolina

Leaders rush to ban gay marriage in state

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COLUMBIA - A recent court ruling in Massachusetts regarding the rights of gay couples to marry has South Carolina lawmakers scrambling to ban such marriages and to avoid having to recognize such unions performed elsewhere.

On the other side of the issue, a statewide gay-rights organization is planning a town hall meeting on marriage equality and a challenge to the state's ban on gay marriage.

South Carolina law already bans same-sex marriages, but the new bill would prohibit marriage benefits for gay couples who wed in other states.

Lawmakers supporting the ban plan a news conference Tuesday at the Statehouse.

Former prison guards charged in '01 attack

COLUMBIA - The State Law Enforcement Division has charged two former prison guards with assault in an incident at Kershaw Correctional Institution in December 2001.

James Douglas Robinson, 55, of Casset, and Herbert Tyrone Champagne Jr., 31, of Mayesville, were charged Thursday with aggravated assault.

They are accused of ramming an unidentified prisoner headfirst into steel doors, according to arrest warrants.

Police find meth lab in beach hotel room

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH - Several guests were evacuated from a North Myrtle Beach hotel after police said they found a methamphetamine lab in one of the rooms.

Police arrested a man Thursday who was in the room, but he has not been charged. Guests were given rooms at other hotels.

Jail's bank account used on fake checks

GREENVILLE - A Greenville County Detention Center has closed a bank account after someone wrote fake checks and cashed them for several thousands of dollars, authorities said.

Someone used the jail's bank account number to print checks bearing the facility's name, officials said.

The bank account was set up to hold money for inmates serving time at the Greenville County jail, officials said.

One man has been charged with altering an authentic jail check that was stolen and cashed for almost $1,000.

--From the Saturday, February 7, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle