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MORNING HEADLINES  |  Prison officials recently intercepted a drone delivering several items – including marijuana, crab legs and Old Bay seasoning – to the Lee Correctional Institution southwest of Bishopville, the S.C. Department of Corrections said Monday.

“Seems some folks were planning an early holiday Old Bay crab boil and steak dinner along with their marijuana and cigarettes — all dropped by a drone at Lee CI,” the department said on X, along with a photo of the contraband. 

The photo from the Bishopville prison showed a raw steak in grocery store packaging, crab legs and Old Bay with side plastic baggies of marijuana and a couple of cartons of cigarettes. 

Prison officials said they are investigating and no arrests have been made.

Flying a drone near a prison in South Carolina is a misdemeanor crime that carries up to 30 days in jail. Dropping contraband into the prison is a felony that can land someone behind bars for 10 years.

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In other recent headlines

Ex-clerk of court linked to Murdaugh case pleads guilty. Becky Hill, the former Colleton County clerk of court who oversaw the highly-publicized Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to four state charges of misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and perjury. She will not face any jail time.

MUSC Health seeks $350M for new cancer center.The Medical University of South Carolina’s hospital system is asking legislators for $350 million for its planned new cancer hospital. If approved, the center would be the first of its kind in South Carolina. Patients seeking this top level of care currently must travel out of state to centers in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

Charleston strips DEI language from programs. City officials are facing a year-end deadline to strip city policies of language that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion, a move that could fundamentally change at least two city programs amid pressure from federal and state administrations.

SC-1: Charleston airport concludes investigation in Mace incident. In a report detailing the airport’s concluded internal investigation, the on-duty supervisor responsible for relaying the car Mace would be arriving admitted that he passed on incorrect information regarding what vehicle U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace would be arriving.

FOOD: Popular Charleston restaurant to open third location on IOP. The forthcoming beachfront destination harks back to John Haire’s original vision for Heavy’s Barburger, which first brought its signature smash-burgers, crinkle cut fries and frozen drinks to the Charleston area in 2022.

North Charleston lists projects for 2026 county sales tax program. The city is preparing a list of priority infrastructure projects that could be funded through an extension of a countywide transportation sales tax, many with an emphasis on connectivity throughout the region.

Middleton Place house closes for new visitors as new exhibition underway. America’s 250th anniversary is around the corner, and Middleton Place has temporarily closed the surviving section of its original home to install a major exhibit centered around the national milestone next year.

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