SOUTH CAROLINA

Conway

Professor to lead discussion of ethics and the use of performance-enhancing drugs

The Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values at Coastal Carolina University will hold a discussion about “ethics, values and the question of performance enhancing drugs” in the wake of Lance Armstrong being stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles as part of its Java Jabber series.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency also banned the legendary bicyclist and cancer survivor for life from the sport.

The move was taken after Armstrong said he would no longer fight the agency’s claims that he used banned substances while competing.

Armstrong continued to say he was innocent of the charges, though several of his associates were reportedly ready to testify against him.

Coastal’s ethics discussion will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Edwards Humanities and Fine Arts Courtyard, or in Room 164 in the case of rain.

It will be led by Jackson Center Fellow David Killoren.

Free coffee will be available.

Columbia

Mother of missing 2-year-old expected to be in court this week to face charges

After eight months in jail, the mother of a missing Columbia boy is expected in court this week for a trial on a charge of lying to police about her now 2-year-old son’s whereabouts.

The trial of Zinah Jennings is expected to get under way Monday. The 23-year-old mother has been jailed since December as police have investigated the disappearance of her son, Amir. Jennings was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child after authorities say she told them several inconsistent and false stories about who is caring for the boy, whose second birthday was earlier this summer.

Police say Jennings, who is due to give birth to a second child in several weeks, has refused to tell investigators where she left Amir.

Speaking to police after a Christmas Eve car wreck in downtown Columbia, Jennings first said she had no children and then said the boy was with relatives and friends in cities from Atlanta to Charlotte. Investigators say they chased down Jennings’ stories in several states but arrested her after several dead ends and much frustration.

Prosecutors and police have said Amir’s blood was found on blankets in Jennings’ car. Acting on a tip, agents later searched a wide rural area near Columbia but found no sign of him.

Jennings has not been charged in the boy’s death, and her attorney has long said that police have unjustly accused the mother for simply refusing to speak with them.

If convicted, Jennings faces up to 10 years in prison.

Folly Beach

Officer suspended for questionable decision not expected to be fired

The Folly Beach police officer suspended for not promptly arresting an accused child molester has a history of “incompetence and/or laziness” and cutting breaks for the locals, documents obtained by The (Charleston) Post and Courier detail.

Officer Ron Avallone failed to talk with beachgoers who saw a man fondle a 13-year-girl and he let the man drive away, even while other officers thought he was drunk, an internal review revealed.

Fred Rogers, whom Avallone said he knew as a “polite and courteous” elderly man, returned to his Folly Road condo, where the police said he assaulted a woman that same morning, according to the documents acquired through an S.C. Freedom of Information Act request.

“Avallone’s lack of investigation and proper enforcement action placed others in danger,” the documents state. “Avallone’s actions were cursory in nature and … actually resulted in injuries” and opened the city to lawsuits.

Avallone, who was disciplined with a week of unpaid leave, has appealed, writing that he was summoned to the beach only for a man cursing at lifeguards and being a nuisance. He called the probe “flawed” and chalked up his brief investigation to a communication error.

Lexington

Man killed after losing control of car

A 24-year-old Lexington man was killed early Sunday morning near Gilbert in a single-car crash, according to Lexington County coroner Harry Harman.

Woodruff R. Duke was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident from severe head and chest injuries, Harman said.

Duke was not wearing a seat belt.

Duke was traveling east on U.S. 378 near the intersection of Peachland Road when he lost control of his 1995 Chevrolet Camaro, crossed the center line, and ran into a ditch on the other side of the road, Harman said.

North Carolina

Asheville

2nd topless protest attracts fewer people

A topless rally in the downtown Sunday afternoon drew several hundred people, with about a dozen women baring their breasts.

The numbers were way down from a similar rally last summer organized by the same group, GoTopless.org. That event drew an estimated 2,000 people and featured several dozen topless women.

By the time the event at Pack Square ended at 3 p.m., only a few dozen people remained.

From staff and wire reports