East Coast dolphin deaths may spread to state
Bottlenose dolphins have been dying off along the East Coast, and the same could be coming for those off the coast of South Carolina, The Post and Courier reported.
More than 330 animals have turned up dead in East Coast states; scientists believe the deaths owe to a virus related to measles in humans.
Animals killed by the virus have been found from North Carolina to New York, and scientists are worried that the pattern may continue further south.
“We are concerned (the virus) will follow the southern migratory (dolphin) group as far as Florida,” Stephanie Venn-Watson of the National Marine Mammal Foundation, told the Post and Courier.
At this point, none of the animals found dead have been tied to the virus, according to marine mammal stranding program scientist Wayne McFee of the National Ocean Service.
Possible second victim sought in Swainson case
Nearly a year after Gabbiee Swainson was abducted and killed by Freddie Grant, authorities are searching for a possible second victim, WIS reported.
A team of USC researchers and students joined forces with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Kershaw County Coroner’s Office to begin the search for evidence of Adriana Laster, who they think could have been buried in the same area.
Laster was last seen with Grant and was reported missing last March.
“Adriana Laster was apparently at one time Freddie Grant’s girlfriend,” Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews said, according to WIS. “Our information is that he suspected her of having a relationship with another guy and shortly after that happened, she disappeared.”
Cars damaged by Sandy being repaired, resold in SC
Nearly a year after Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the East Coast, cars that were damaged in the storm are being repaired and turning up on the road in South Carolina, according to WIS.
Vehicles that were left to sit under water for days after Sandy have been restored and are being resold to customers without their knowledge.
“In South Carolina, there’s over 3,300 previously flooded cars being driven right now,” Carfax spokesman Christopher Basso told WIS.
According to Basso, con artists have been restoring the exteriors of these cars while their internal parts are in bad repair.
In order to avoid this scam, car buyers are encouraged to have their car inspected by a certified mechanic before purchasing any vehicle.