ANDERSON, S.C. — Ingles Supermarkets Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the promotions company that ran its matching games, claiming the supermarket chain should not have had to pay out a settlement for a lawsuit over one of the games.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Anderson County civil court, alleges that Triad Promotions of Tennessee agreed to administer the ‘‘More Millennium Money’’ and ‘‘Million Dollar Match’’ games, which in turn protected Ingles from any liability stemming from the games.

But in July of 2003, Anderson County resident Luellen Wheaton sued Ingles after a dispute over the game pieces. She sued for unspecified damages, and the lawsuit went into mediation and was settled out of court a year later.

In the lawsuit against Triad Promotions, Ingles claims that Triad should have paid Wheaton. Instead, Ingles paid out $10,317 in settlement money and attorney’s fees.

The lawsuit requests that the court order Triad to pay Ingles that amount plus interest.

Richland County

storekeeper killed

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Richland County storekeeper has been killed by someone who was apparently waiting for him to open his business in Gadsden.

Freddie Columbus Hill, 56, died at the scene after being shot in the chest Monday morning, Coroner Gary Watts said.

Hill was unlocking the back door of Hill’s Grocery Store about 6 a.m. when he was shot by someone who was ‘‘lying in wait,’’ Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Cowan said.

Hill chased his killer for a few feet before he collapsed, Cowan said.

Nothing appeared to be missing from the store. Deputies have not determined a motive, Cowan said.

Former Greenwood deputy

charged with lewd act with child

GREENWOOD, S.C. — A former Greenwood County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with performing lewd acts with a child.

Norris Randall Jay, 35, of Saluda, was charged with lewd acts with a child under the age of 14 and aggravated assault and battery.

Court records indicate the incident occurred in 1997 at Jay’s home.

The victim was 12 years old at the time.

Jay, who was hired by the sheriff’s department in 1992, was suspended in November when SLED began the investigation.

Sheriff Dan Wideman said Jay was fired after SLED agents signed a warrant against him.

Jay was released Thursday on bond.

U.S. Senate race

cost a record $24 million

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Candidates spent a record $24 million running for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Democrat Ernest ‘‘Fritz’’ Hollings in 2004.

Republican Jim DeMint, who in November beat Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, spent a total of $9 million, according to campaign finance reports, the last of which had to be filed Monday.

‘‘Two years ago, I told everyone this would be a $6 million race, and no one believed it would cost that much,’’ DeMint said.

‘‘I had no idea it would end up costing more.’’

Tenenbaum, the state superintendent of education, spent $6.2 million. ‘‘It was a top-tier race that attracted a lot of attention across the country, and it was competitive all the way through,’’ said Zeke Stokes, Tenenbaum’s campaign finance director.

DeMint’s most generous supporters were those in the financial, insurance and real estate industries. Lawyers and lobbyists gave the most to Tenenbaum.