Last of original Riverbanks Zoo animals dies
The last of Riverbanks Zoo’s original group of flamingos died on Thursday, a month before the zoo’s 40th anniversary, The State reported.
The Caribbean flamingo arrived in 1973 and lived past the average life expectancy of 33 years. She wasn’t named since flamingos do not stand apart from the crowd, and she hatched her last chick in 2009.
Satch Krantz, the zoo’s chief executive, said that it is always difficult to lose an animal, “especially one that has been with us since day one.”
On the zoo’s 30th anniversary in April 2004, five original animals were still alive, including two flamingos, a siamang named Solo, a hippopotamus named Montgomery and a sloth named Phil.
House subcommittee passes Emma’s Law
A bill that aims to reduce DUI deaths and crashes was approved by an state House subcommittee on Thursday, The State reported.
The bill, known as Emma’s Law, would require people convicted of drunken driving to use an “ignition interlock” after their first offense. The devices prevent drivers from using a vehicle after drinking.
State Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, a supporter of the bill, said its passage through the five-member subcommittee was the bill’s “biggest obstacle.” Now, after having been held in the subcommittee for a year without a hearing, Emma’s Law will head to the Judiciary Committee.
The hearing on Thursday saw an overflow of doctors, DUI victims, public safety officials and activists who all support the passage of Emma’s Law.
New Columbia police chief to be announced
City Manager Teresa Wilson is expected to name William “Skip” Holbrook the new chief of the Columbia Police Department today, The State reported.
Holbrook has been the chief of the Huntington, W.Va., Police Department since 2007. His resignation was made public Thursday afternoon, when the mayor there announced that he had accepted a job in Columbia.
Holbrook was one of five finalists for the position who were chosen from a pool of 49 applicants. He was interviewed for three days and met with City Council members and police officers.
Holbrook would be the ninth person to lead the Columbia Police Department in seven years. Since Randy Scott’s resignation in April 2013, interim and acting chiefs have managed the department.