STATE BRIEFS

'Lizard Man' attack

may have been dog

BISHOPVILLE - DNA testing has shown an attack on a family van some blamed on the legendary Lizard Man appears to have been actually done by a domestic dog.

Something chewed up the front fender of Bob and Dixie Rawson's van in February. Bite marks were left on the wheel wells and blood was found on the vehicle.

The Item of Sumter reports a veterinary lab in California tested the blood and found it came from a dog.

But Bob Rawson isn't sure, saying it would have to be one big dog.

Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin isn't convinced either. He thinks it was a coyote or wolf.

Lizard Man became a phenomenon in the area 20 years ago when people began reporting a tall, big-eyed swamp creature. Authorities never figured out exactly what prompted the sightings.

Police destroy

11,000 pot plants

CHESTER - Chester County deputies say they have found $11 million worth of marijuana.

Sheriff Robby Benson tells The (Rock Hill) Herald that someone surveying land for lumber Tuesday found the field of about 11,000 marijuana plants.

Authorities destroyed the field, which was about nine miles west of Chester.

Benson says the field had an irrigation system and fertilizer and deputies found two sleeping bags and food nearby.

It's the third multimillion dollar marijuana bust in Chester County in the past three years.

Plant work force

will nearly double

BISHOPVILLE - A fiberglass plant says it will nearly double its work force at its operation in Bishopville by the end of the year.

Ahlstrom Specialty Reinforcements of Finland said Wednesday it will spend about $9 million in the expansion that will increase the number of workers from 68 to 125.

The Item of Sumter reported Thursday the expansion will not require additional space at the plant that opened in January 2007.

The plant makes fiberglass products used in wind energy, marine and transport industries.

AG unveils hot line

for dogfighting tips

COLUMBIA - Attorney General Henry McMaster is expanding his efforts to fight dogfighting in South Carolina.

McMaster announced Thursday the creation of a new statewide Crimestoppers hot line and Web site where callers can report tips about suspected dogfighting.

If the tips result in a conviction, McMaster says reward money will be distributed on behalf of the Humane Society of the United States.

McMaster says billboards will also be used statewide to advertise the phone number and Web site.

In October, McMaster and the Humane Society announced a new effort to reward those who report dog fighting in their communities. The Humane Society has since offered rewards up to $5,000.

Ex-guard charged

with misconduct

COLUMBIA - A former South Carolina prison guard has been charged with having sex with an inmate.

The State Law Enforcement Division said Thursday that 27- year-old Jesse Reid of Hephzibah, Ga., was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual misconduct with an inmate.

SLED says Reid admitted in August to having a sexual relationship with an inmate at McCormick Correctional Institution, a maximum security allmale facility about 80 miles west of Columbia.

A spokesman for the prison system said Reid was hired as a guard in December 2006 and was fired in October because of inappropriate relations with an inmate.

It was not immediately clear if bond had been set for Reid or if he had an attorney. Jail officials said they were not authorized to release that information.

Community

ravaged by fire

GEORGETOWN - Fire officials say a blaze has caused $10 million in damage to a highpriced private community in Georgetown County.

The fire Tuesday afternoon in the DeBordieu Colony destroyed one two-story beach home and damaged seven others.

It took at least 100 firefighters to put out the blaze, which was fanned by gusty winds.

Homeowner William Kitchens says he was away when the fire started. He says he built the home in 1978 and plans to rebuild.

No one was injured.