Five Points Curfew Approved

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- City officials, business owners, and residents young and old gathered Tuesday to discuss making permanent the temporary curfew for the Five Points neighborhood shopping district, according to ABC News Columbia affiliate WOLO-TV.

The permanent Five Points curfew was approved and will be effective immediately.

Meeting attendants argued that the proposed ban on teenagers 17 and under between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. would only push the problems to neighboring areas.

Another proposal offered to implement a citywide curfew, which is now under consideration by city officials.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

South Carolina Urged to Brace for Hurricane Irene

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- As Hurricane Irene continues to wreak havoc in the Caribbean, residents of South Carolina are being told to brace for the effects of the powerful weather system as it may impact the state.

With forecasts calling for Irene to possibly begin affecting parts of the area on Friday, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division is urging residents to monitor media reports for information about the hurricane, and to make evacuation preparations in advance, in order to be well prepared if an evacuation becomes necessary.

The National Weather Service is forecasting that tropical storm conditions may begin affecting Charleston, Folly Beach, and other surrounding areas from Friday night into the weekend.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford 'Climbing Out of My Cocoon'

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- A scandal-plagued former governor who was once considered a potential presidential contender for 2012 is instead standing on the periphery, reflecting on what might have been and watching as the Republican primary field continues to take shape.

"A number of my friends have called this a Greek tragedy," former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said of his absence from the 2012 GOP primary race.

Noting a political climate fixated on fiscal restraint, some have said Sanford's record as a congressman and then as governor of South Carolina show he was "Tea Party before Tea Party was cool."

For example, he was the first governor to issue a letter to the White House rejecting about $8 billion of stimulus funds.

"I've been saying this stuff for years," Sanford said.

It has been a little more than two years since Sanford stood before the media and confessed to an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman. Once mentioned as a presidential candidate, the unfolding scandal, which included a week-long disappearance, torpedoed Sanford's bright political future. While Sanford was able to weather impeachment proceedings and calls for his resignation, his wife divorced him and he resigned as chairman of the Republican Governor's Association.

Sanford described his actions leading up the scandal as "pouring gasoline all over myself and lighting a match."

Once it became evident his marriage had suffered beyond redemption, Sanford said he was determined to "finish strong as governor." He calls his final 18 months in office his "most productive season."

The former governor admitted that transitioning back into the media spotlight has been difficult, saying, "I am climbing out of my cocoon. It's pretty scary and I don't want to get my head chopped off again. I don't know where my life goes next but I do know that hiding out on a farm doesn't get you there."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Rep. Clyburn Hosts Small Business Conference

(ORANGEBURG, S.C.) -- Assistant Democratic leader and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn will co-host a conference for small businesses on Tuesday.

The event, which is being held at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and co-hosted by the Department of Energy, will focus on helping small business owners navigate the complex requirements involved in conducting business with the federal government.

Steven Chu, the head of the U.S. Department of Energy, will speak at the conference.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Graham and McCain Issue Statement on Libya Situation

(WASHINGTON) -- As rebels and members of Moammar Gadhafi's regime continue to clash in Libya, U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) issued a joint statement on Monday saying that the situation in that country should send a message to dictators all over the world that their strategy will fail.

"The end of the [Gadhafi] regime in Libya is a victory for the Libyan people and for the broader cause of freedom in the Middle East and throughout the world," the joint statement read.

The senators also had a message for Syria's leader.

"In particular, that is a lesson for Bashar al Assad, and we are confident that his regime will soon join [Gadhafi] on the ash heap of history," the statement said.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio