Freeze possible in Columbia on Saturday, Sunday
The temperatures will be dropping late Saturday night into early Sunday, which may cause a freeze, The State reported.
Gardeners who have already planted are wary of the cold snap approaching the Midlands. For four of the past seven years, Columbia has had freezing temperatures by March 27. This could drop temperatures into the upper 30s Friday night and then lower in the 30s on Saturday. Columbia is expected to stay above freezing, but could have frost on the ground Sunday morning.
The latest freeze on record in Columbia was on April 24 in 1986.
— Lauren Shirley, News Editor
Ex-sheriff sentenced to 30 months in prison
The former Williamsburg County sheriff, Michael Johnson, was sentenced to 30 months in jail, The State reported.
Johnson was convicted of conspiring in a felony white collar fraud and is expected to pay $15,875 in restitution to the 13 victims the government put up at the trial. He will also be supervised for three years following his release from prison.
Johnson was working alongside another man who was the “mastermind” of the operation. The former sheriff offered to “repair” their credit and file a false police report in their name.
— Lauren Shirley, News Editor
Columbia family will be ambassador family to support March for Dimes
A Columbia family is the centerpiece for this year’s 2015 March for Babies, which seeks to raise awareness about the lifesaving work of March of Dimes, The State reported. The March of Dimes Foundations — of which the March for Babies is an offshoot — focuses on the improvement of mother and child health.
The Buckett family, Jason and Talyse and their children Karyssa, Kyran and Gemma, will be supporting the campaign for healthy mothers and babies. The Buckett’s oldest children were born 11 weeks premature and had to spend 55 days in the NICU.
The March for Babies event will be held on April 25 at the South Carolina state fairgrounds.
— Lauren Shirley, News Editor