STATE NEWS BRIEFS

Woman bitten by rabid fox

COLUMBIA - State health officials say a woman leaving a store in Richland County was bitten by a rabid fox and is receiving treatment.

Sue Ferguson with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control says it's the first confirmed case of a rabid animal in Richland County this year.

Health officials say 10 animals were confirmed with rabies in the county last year. Statewide, there were 162 cases of rabies in animals in 2007.

Ferguson says about 400 South Carolinians have to undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year after being bitten by a rabid or suspected rabid animal.

Severe drought status remains

COLUMBIA - Nearly all of South Carolina remains in a severe drought, even after the state has seen more rain than normal during the past 30 days.

The state Drought Response Committee met Tuesday and determined while the rain and a little snow have provided short-term relief, it has not been enough to refill reservoirs and recharge groundwater.

The committee says it is also worried that forecasts continue to call for below normal rainfall from February through April.

The drought committee will meet again in April as the growing season starts and as water demand starts to increase. All of South Carolina is under a severe drought except for Jasper and Beaufort counties, which are in a moderate drought.

Lawyer enters guilty plea

COLUMBIA - A Beaufort lawyer who stole $2.3 million from a client and was arrested as he tried to re-enter the U.S. from Canada has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd says 45-year-old Michael T. Jordan entered his plea in federal court Tuesday. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Prosecutors say Jordan made it to Canada in August before authorities realized he had wired a $2.3 million transaction to himself, but was arrested when he tried to return to New York.

Authorities say Jordan also took money from his office's trust account for four years before he fled to Canada.