South Carolinians support creating path to citizenship
Half of all South Carolinians surveyed say they “strongly support” creating a path to citizenship for undocumented workers who are currently in the country illegally, according to a Winthrop University poll released Wednesday.
Only 15 percent of those polled said they “strongly” or “somewhat” oppose immigration reform proposals for a path to citizenship that would put the undocumented individuals at the back of the line for citizen application, require English proficiency exams, ensure immigrants are paying taxes and impose a fine for those who are here illegally, The State reported.
Responses from Republicans and Democrats were nearly identically, according to The State.
— Sarah Ellis, Assistant News Editor
Richland sees 4 domestic violence deaths in 2013
Domestic violence crimes account for two-thirds of Richland County’s homicide count so far this year.
Six killings have been reported in the county between Jan. 1 and Wednesday, and four of the victims were women whose boyfriends or husbands have been accused in the crimes, The State reported.
Richland’s two other homicides involved men shooting men.
In the same period a year ago, only one homicide had been reported in the county, according to The State.
“While we are talking about Richland County, the issue of domestic violence is one we haven’t gotten a handle on in South Carolina,” Nancy Barton, executive director of Sistercare, told The State.
— Sarah Ellis, Assistant News Editor
Summerville teacher arrested on drug charges
A fourth-grade teacher at Summerville Elementary School faces multiple drug charges, The Post and Courier reported.
Summerville teacher Terri Wooten, 49, and David Eugene Cauthan, 39, were arrested Wednesday and charged with trafficking methamphetamine, distribution near a school, possession of a Schedule IV narcotic and possession of LSD, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
A Dorchester District 2 spokesman told The Post and Courier that school board policy requires Wooten to be placed on administrative leave with pay until the situation has been resolved.
— Sarah Ellis, Assistant News Editor