Police treat Five Point death as "suspicious" as investigation continues
Columbia police are continuing to investigate after a man was found dead in a car in Five Points around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, WIS reports. The man was identified at 22-year-old Levi Michael Happy, and the cause of death was a gunshot wound to his stomach. Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons could not confirm if Happy attended the St. Patrick's Day festival, but he had been seen in a few bars in Five Points before his body was found. Police are reviewing video surveillance to determine the circumstances of Happy's death, which they are treating as suspicious.
Former SC Democratic lieutenant governor to run for governor with GOP in 2018
Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill plans to run for South Carolina governor in 2018 as a Republican candidate, The State reports. McGill said he has backed many conservative causes in the past and only delayed switching to the GOP because he lived in a Democratic district. Jaime Harrison, the state Democratic party's chairman, has doubts about McGill's ability to win after seeming to be dedicated to neither party, but McGill says that he represents all South Carolinians. In terms of specific plans, McGill said he would improve the roads without increasing taxes.
Two Lexington men charged in Pelion church break-in
Two Lexington men have been charged in connection with last month's break-in at a church in Pelion, South Carolina, The State reports. Timothy Russell, 25, and Austin Miller, 21, have been charged with malicious injury to property for breaking a window to get into the church and damaging furniture and other belongings. Russell and Miller were also charged with arson for setting fire to books and with burglary for taking a laptop and a camera. They were released on bond from the Lexington County Detention Center.