Sarita Chourey, our Columbia bureau reporter, files this report on the latest regarding the Okatie Crossing tax incentive bill:

COLUMBIA -- The S.C. Senate is expected to resume debate on a divisive tax-credit bill Thursday (March 11), after lawmakers on both sides of the incentive deal aired initial positions Wednesday over whether to grant The Sembler Co. a controversial rebate to build Okatie Crossing in Jasper County.

Are you going to Saturday’s big game? We want your photos. Send your favorite snapshots and a little blurb about who is in the picture to erinn.mcguire@hardeevilletoday.com

By: Anthony Garzilli
Hardeeville Today

The Lady Hurricanes will try and avenge last year’s loss to Christ Church Episcopal Saturday, March 6 during the Class A state championship game.

The game begins at 11 a.m. at the Colonial Center in Columbia.

Before the team hits the court today, coach Tonya Strobridge will remind the team of last year’s performance with a picture.

Hardeeville Today

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close several parts of Interstate 95 in Jasper County on Monday through Wednesday to repair bridges.

The northbound lanes – first the right and then the left lanes - at mile point 2.57 will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 9.

The southbound lanes at mile point 2.57 – first the right and then the left lanes – will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The right southbound lanes at mile point 6.61 will closed at various times between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

By: Bob Huff
Special to Hardeeville Today

Dr. Vashti K. Washington of Summerville, has been named as the superintendent-elect of the Jasper County School District.

The Jasper County Board of Education voted unanimously to execute a four-year contract at an annual salary of $165,000 per year.

Washington serves as an associate superintendent in the Charleston County School District, a position she has held since 2004.

S.C. Senate votes 29-12 to advance bill to floor for up-or-down vote.

BY SARITA CHOUREY
Morris News Service

COLUMBIA - A $400 million upscale shopping development to be built in Jasper County received new life Thursday when the S.C. Senate voted 29-12 to let the tax-credit bill for the Okatie Crossing developer proceed to the floor for an up-or-down vote.

“This is really a good day, because the bill was virtually dead before this vote,” said Sen. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland.

The Jasper County School District will host a job fair on Saturday, Feb. 27, in the community room at Palmetto Electric Cooperative on U.S. 278.

The school district seeks highly qualified teachers with technological skills.

Jasper County will enter the new school year with a new leader as the superintendent search is coming to a conclusion, according to school district spokesman Robert Huff.

BY ERINN MCGUIRE
HARDEEVILLE TODAY

RIDGELAND – Martin “Marty” Sauls IV said Tuesday he plans to run for the Coosawhatchie seat on the Jasper County Council.

The seat is currently filled by Jasper County Council Chairman George Hood.

This will be the Jasper County native’s first run at public office.

“I have been home from college for about 15 years now and working and I want to be able to serve the people of the county where I was born and raised,” he said.

Sauls said he wants to focus on job creation and protecting the environment.

By DeAnn Komanecky
Savannah Morning News

SPRINGFIELD - A South Carolina man has died after apparently swallowing bags of cocaine following a traffic stop in Effingham County Tuesday.

Kelly Anderson, 41, of Hardeeville, died Saturday night at Memorial University Medical Center, Effingham County sheriff’s spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.

Anderson was a passenger in a Ford Ranger stopped by an Effingham County deputy on Interstate 95 for an equipment violation about 12:30 a.m. Feb. 18, Ehsanipoor said.

A winter storm warning will remain in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's a detailed account of what to expect:

INTENSIFYING LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTHEAST GULF OF MEXICO WILL MOVE ACROSS THE FLORIDA PENINSULA THIS AFTERNOON TO A POSITION OFF THE CAROLINA COAST TONIGHT.

RAIN...POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SNOW...WILL BEGIN ACROSS THE AREA BY EARLY THIS AFTERNOON. AS COLDER AIR FROM THE NORTH OVERSPREADS THE REGION...THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER TO ALL

RIDGELAND – A Jasper County jury convicted a Pineland man of manslaughter Wednesday afternoon in connection with the 2008 shooting death of 40-year-old Richard Furman Jr.

Eric Darien, 35, was sentenced to 18 years in prison by Judge Carmen T. Mullen. The case was prosecuted by Jasper County Assistant Solicitor Steve Knight.
The shooting stemmed from a long-standing dispute between the men, according to prosecutors.