Today's News

What began as an early morning duck hunt for Tony Pope quickly turned into a fight for his life.
The Lancaster man left home early Tuesday morning to go duck hunting with a friend on the Catawba River on the Lancaster/Chester county line. At about 5:30 a.m., Pope eased his 2001 Toyota Tacoma down the S.C. 9 boat landing under the Catawba River bridge, aiming his trailer and boat toward the water.

Below-freezing temperatures and a multi-layer roof made putting out a blaze a challenge for firefighters Monday night.
Firefighters got a call shortly after 9 p.m. about a fire at the S&M Mini Mart on Kershaw-Camden Highway in the Pleasant Hill community.
Crews arrived minutes later to find the left rear section of the building on fire, said Patrick Helms, chief of the Heath Springs Fire Department.

Fire departments battled two fires on Dec. 22, one of which involved the arrest of a man who allegedly tried to steal fire equipment from the scene.
Gooches Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Randy Hardin said firefighters responded about 6:30 p.m. to 1125 9th St., Lancaster.
Hardin said flames were visible through the vacant mill house’s roof when firefighters arrived.
He said the home was a total loss. A cause of fire has yet to be determined.

Harlean Howard will become the city of Lancaster’s next police chief.
City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to appoint Howard, who’s in her 20th year with the Lancaster Police Department. She’s held the rank of captain since 2003. 
Howard will succeed Hugh White, who recently announced plans to retire. White has been with the department since 1982, serving as chief the past 11 years.
Howard’s appointment as chief becomes effective Jan. 7.