USC search

nearing end

COLUMBIA - The University of South Carolina panel searching for a replacement for President Andrew Sorensen is close to wrapping up its work.

The panel will meet in an executive session Tuesday morning to interview candidates.

The panel's chairman said last week that he expects three finalists to be named this week.

Little is known about those seeking the job beyond interviews. Some consider Harris Pastides, the university's vice president for research and health sciences, the frontrunner. Others are pushing former White House chief of staff Andrew Card.

Trustee Miles Loadholt is leading the search and says the panel wants someone who will continue the university's research initiatives and has, among other things, an ability to raise money.

Tenenbaum joins

Columbia law firm

COLUMBIA - Former South Carolina Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum has joined a Columbia law firm, but she'll still be working on education issues.

The State newspaper of Columbia reported Wednesday that Tenenbaum has jointed the McNair Law firm.

The newspaper reported Tenenbaum will work on financial matters, such as bond referendums for school districts seeking to build or renovate schools.

Tenenbaum was state education superintendent from 1999 to 2003. She says she's missed working with school officials.

Managing partner Bill Youngblood says the McNair law firm has represented about 60 of the state's 85 school districts on financial issues in the past five years.

Youngblood says Tenenbaum brings the firm intellect, institutional memory about public education and an understanding of government.

Sanford signs

red light bill

COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford is giving a public green light to a bill that allows motorcyclists and bikers to run red lights after they stop at intersections.

Sanford officially signed the bill in May, but he'll hold a ceremonial signing at stops around the state Wednesday with bikers at his side.

The legislation requires motorcyclists, mo-peds and bicycles to stop for two minutes before entering an intersection if a traffic signal has not turned green. Motorcyclists pushed the legislation because they said automatic signal controls using sensor embedded in roads don't always detect their bikes.

The American Motorcyclist Association says Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin have similar laws.

Deputy fired

after dog killed

GREENVILLE - A Greenville County sheriff's deputy who released a police dog that attacked a fellow officer during an arrest last month has been fired.

Sheriff's Lt. Shea Smith refused to tell The Greenville News why John Bennick was fired last week except to say it was related to the incident where his police dog was killed by the officer the animal attacked June 23.

Deputy Chris McAlmont said he shot the dog because it bit him in the ankle and in the dark he did not know it was a police dog. The dog was killed. Sheriff Steve Loftis is still reviewing the incident.

Bennick is the second Greenville County deputy fired in the past month. Brian Tollison lost his job after authorities said he punched an 18-year-old suspect in the face.

Fire strikes

for 4th time

MYRTLE BEACH - For the fourth time this year, a home has caught fire in a gated beach front community in Georgetown County.

Midway Fire and Rescue spokesman Bob Beebe told The Sun News of Myrtle Beach that lightning probably caused the blaze Monday that destroyed a two-story, 7,000- square foot home.

No one was home when the fire started.

It was the fourth time since February firefighters have been called to major blazes in DeBordieu Colony. Three homes have been destroyed and eight damaged in those fires.

One fire in February was accidental, but the State Law Enforcement Division is investigating two blazes in May, including one May 13 that caused about $10 million in damage to eight homes.

Trooper won't

face charges

ANDERSON - Anderson County sheriff's deputies have decided not to charge a state trooper whose cruiser crashed into a car, killing an 84-year-old woman.

Deputies say their investigation of Saturday's crash determined Edna Martin pulled out in front of Highway Patrol Sgt. Stacy Craven as he drove on state Highway 81 in Anderson on Saturday afternoon.

Investigators say Craven was driving the speed limit of 45 mph, did not have his emergency lights or siren on and tried to avoid the crash.

Martin died a day after the crash. Craven suffered minor injuries.

Highway Patrol officials say they will review the crash report before deciding whether to take any action against Craven.