A South Carolina man once considered as a the nation's No. 2 breeder of fighting pit bulls was granted parole Wednesday by state officials, six years into what was originally a 40-year sentence.
The Probation, Parole and Pardon Services board voted 5-2 to grant parole to David Ray Tant, who told the panel he is a changed man and accepts full responsibility for his crimes.
The Man said "I assure you, I have learned my lesson."
"That old life is behind me now," Tant, 63, told board members via video conference from prison, adding that he attends church services twice a week.
Under the conditions of his release, Tant is not allowed to have contact with dogs or online chatrooms about dog breeding or fighting. It will take several weeks to process Tant's paperwork, so he will not be released immediately, officials said.
In July, a three-member panel voted 2-1 in favor of parole, but the split vote meant Tant would be heard before the full board.
Tant, 63, was arrested in 2004 after a surveyor near his Charleston County property triggered a booby trap that authorities said had been set to keep intruders away. Investigators removed dozens of pit bulls from Tant's compound, also seizing caged treadmills, cattle prods, shotguns and rifles, as well as small explosive devices.
Tant was charged with 41 counts of dog-fighting - one for each dog seized - and assault and battery for the surveyor's injuries.
The dogs were cared for by an animal shelter in Charleston but later euthanized because they were deemed too aggressive for adoption.
Just as his trial got under way, Tant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the assault and six of the dog-fighting charges. That sentence was reduced to 30 years after he paid $80,000 to the shelter as restitution for taking care of the dogs.
Tant's arrest came just weeks after South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster partnered with state police to create a special dog-fighting task force. Since then, McMaster's office has prosecuted dozens of dog-fighting cases, most of which resulted in fines or up to five years in prison.
On Wednesday, McMaster said Tant's release on his first attempt at parole was an injustice both to the authorities who originally put him in prison and to the overall battle against animal fighting.
"It's a huge setback," said McMaster, who implored the board not to release Tant. "This shows that the parole system in this state is dysfunctional."
Animal rights activists have said they collected more than 5,000 signatures from people opposing Tant's early release, calling him a prolific dog breeder who created a vicious line of championship dogs whose descendants are still involved in fights around the country.
Steven Baker, the man who was hospitalized for birdshot pellet wounds from Tant's rigged gun, wrote the board saying he would not oppose parole and that Tant had paid him $17,500 in restitution to cover his medical bills.
After the hearing, Tant's attorney said his client has received several job offers and plans to take care of his mother and ailing sister once he's released.
Doug Jennings, who is also a member of the state legislature, said after the hearing. "We do feel like justice was served today," "He has used his time to search his own soul."
Tant is also appealing his sentence to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, which is expected to consider the case this year.
The Grand Strand had a good 2010 Summer for Tourism
Officials along the Grand Strand say business this summer has been solid after a couple of tough years at South Carolina's most popular vacation destination.
Tourism researchers at Coastal Carolina University found hotel occupancy is up 8 percent this summer and attractions like Broadway at the Beach reported a steady increase in customers, according to a story Monday by The Sun News of Myrtle Beach.
The increase in tourists should lead to higher hotel rates and jump start other parts of the economy around Myrtle Beach. Construction on new Myrtle Beach hotels could begin again in a couple of years, said Taylor Damonte, director of the Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism at Coastal Carolina University.
"The big picture is that we are now in the beginning stages of the new business cycle," Damonte told the newspaper.
Credit for the increase in tourists goes to several different factors, said Brad Dean, president and chief executive of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
The airport added direct flights to Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Chicago, while tourism officials increased advertising, including trying to lure visitors leery of going to the Gulf of Mexico because of the oil spill. The ads emphasized Myrtle Beach as an affordable destination for people on a tight budget, Dean said.
The key for the Grand Strand for next summer will be getting people who came to the area for the first time to return. The area will continue to promote its attractions like the new boardwalk that opened this year near downtown Myrtle Beach, Dean said.
"The attitude down there is like 180 degrees different. They are sprucing up businesses, investing capital in their businesses. They're thinking about change for next year," said Ripley's Attractions Myrtle Beach General Manager Peter MacIntyre, who has several attraction in the area.
Tourism researchers at Coastal Carolina University found hotel occupancy is up 8 percent this summer and attractions like Broadway at the Beach reported a steady increase in customers, according to a story Monday by The Sun News of Myrtle Beach.
The increase in tourists should lead to higher hotel rates and jump start other parts of the economy around Myrtle Beach. Construction on new Myrtle Beach hotels could begin again in a couple of years, said Taylor Damonte, director of the Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism at Coastal Carolina University.
"The big picture is that we are now in the beginning stages of the new business cycle," Damonte told the newspaper.
Credit for the increase in tourists goes to several different factors, said Brad Dean, president and chief executive of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
The airport added direct flights to Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Chicago, while tourism officials increased advertising, including trying to lure visitors leery of going to the Gulf of Mexico because of the oil spill. The ads emphasized Myrtle Beach as an affordable destination for people on a tight budget, Dean said.
The key for the Grand Strand for next summer will be getting people who came to the area for the first time to return. The area will continue to promote its attractions like the new boardwalk that opened this year near downtown Myrtle Beach, Dean said.
"The attitude down there is like 180 degrees different. They are sprucing up businesses, investing capital in their businesses. They're thinking about change for next year," said Ripley's Attractions Myrtle Beach General Manager Peter MacIntyre, who has several attraction in the area.
BMW Jobs
Some economists are conjecturing that BMW could single-handedly reduce South Carolina’s jobless rate.
Applicants can also apply online and see details about upcoming job fairs at: www.mau.com/bmwjobs.
Economists said that with the projected addition of 1,000 workers over the summer, that rate could change significantly.
The state's jobless rate reached 10.8 percent in July.
Economists say when BMW hires a worker it leads to three other workers being hired at other businesses, according to the Greenville News. Economists say that could lower the unemployment rare by more than 1 percentage point.
BMW plans to launch the X3 later this year and says the initial global sales forecast is very encouraging. MAU confirmed that these jobs include health, dental, 401(k) and vacation benefits.
"As production of the new X3 gets underway and sales of the BMW X5 and X6 continue to do very well around the world, we see the need to expand our production team again to ensure we are well prepared to meet our forecasted demand," said Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg.
BMW expects that the addition of these new jobs will bring the total number of jobs at the BMW plant in South Carolina to more than 7,000 jobs on-site. BMW announced a $750 million expansion in 2008.
Applicants can also apply online and see details about upcoming job fairs at: www.mau.com/bmwjobs.
Economists said that with the projected addition of 1,000 workers over the summer, that rate could change significantly.
The state's jobless rate reached 10.8 percent in July.
Economists say when BMW hires a worker it leads to three other workers being hired at other businesses, according to the Greenville News. Economists say that could lower the unemployment rare by more than 1 percentage point.
BMW plans to launch the X3 later this year and says the initial global sales forecast is very encouraging. MAU confirmed that these jobs include health, dental, 401(k) and vacation benefits.
"As production of the new X3 gets underway and sales of the BMW X5 and X6 continue to do very well around the world, we see the need to expand our production team again to ensure we are well prepared to meet our forecasted demand," said Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg.
BMW expects that the addition of these new jobs will bring the total number of jobs at the BMW plant in South Carolina to more than 7,000 jobs on-site. BMW announced a $750 million expansion in 2008.
Jim DeMint and Alvin Greene have a competitor
Jim DeMint and Alvin Greene have a competitor.
A high school social studies teacher from Greenville, South Carolina will launch a write-in campaign for U.S. Senate this week, CNN has learned.
Snoad, who is active in Democratic politics, told CNN that Greene's unexpected victory in June's Democratic primary made the outcome of the Senate race all but certain.
The goal, said the teacher, Greg Snoad, is to offer Republicans, Democrats and independents "a chance to make a symbolic vote for civil political discussion."
Greene, a political neophyte who was indicted in August on obscenity charges, stands almost no chance of defeating DeMint, his Republican opponent, in November.
"The way the race has worked out, I think a lot of people are looking for an alternative to the kind of political discourse we have now," Snoad said. "I think this race provides us with an opportunity to give people a chance to cast a vote for that kind of symbolism that maybe another race that's more competitive wouldn't have provided."
Snoad said he has no illusions about unseating DeMint and called his effort "a purely symbolic campaign" that will be conducted almost entirely using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
"I would not do this in a race where I could affect the outcome, because I am not running to win the office," he said.
Snoad is not the first write-in candidate in the race; Mazie Ferguson, an attorney from Sumter, announced a bid last month. Tom Clements is running as the Green Party nominee.
A high school social studies teacher from Greenville, South Carolina will launch a write-in campaign for U.S. Senate this week, CNN has learned.
Snoad, who is active in Democratic politics, told CNN that Greene's unexpected victory in June's Democratic primary made the outcome of the Senate race all but certain.
The goal, said the teacher, Greg Snoad, is to offer Republicans, Democrats and independents "a chance to make a symbolic vote for civil political discussion."
Greene, a political neophyte who was indicted in August on obscenity charges, stands almost no chance of defeating DeMint, his Republican opponent, in November.
"The way the race has worked out, I think a lot of people are looking for an alternative to the kind of political discourse we have now," Snoad said. "I think this race provides us with an opportunity to give people a chance to cast a vote for that kind of symbolism that maybe another race that's more competitive wouldn't have provided."
Snoad said he has no illusions about unseating DeMint and called his effort "a purely symbolic campaign" that will be conducted almost entirely using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
"I would not do this in a race where I could affect the outcome, because I am not running to win the office," he said.
Snoad is not the first write-in candidate in the race; Mazie Ferguson, an attorney from Sumter, announced a bid last month. Tom Clements is running as the Green Party nominee.
7 boaters rescued off the coast
Seven people, including three children, who were missing since Saturday night were rescued Sunday morning about 25 miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
All seven people (wearing life jackets) were aboard a 38-foot powerboat that sank after the engine compartment flooded, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
"They were cold, they were tired, but most importantly, they were alive," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Evanson of the Coast Guard station in Jacksonville, Florida.
All seven people (wearing life jackets) were aboard a 38-foot powerboat that sank after the engine compartment flooded, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
"They were cold, they were tired, but most importantly, they were alive," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Evanson of the Coast Guard station in Jacksonville, Florida.
Plans for new passenger cruise terminal
The top executive of the South Carolina State Ports Authority said Thursday he has asked architects to submit design proposals for a new cruise ship passenger terminal to open within two years in Charleston.
"Cruises are good for Charleston South Carolina, and good for the port," Jim Newsome, Ports Authority president and CEO, said in a news release. "We are firmly committed to manage our cruise business in a way that protects and preserves that character."
In February, the Ports Authority of South Carolina unveiled its plans to renovate an existing building used by BMW for its port operations as a terminal to replace an aging cinderblock structure now almost 40 years old. The building has room for parking and dropping off passengers, avoiding snarls that sometimes occur when cruise ships call.
Besides the one-berth terminal, the plan for 63 acres on the waterfront calls for more public water access, allowing someone to walk about four miles down one side of the Charleston South Carolina peninsula and up the other and, with few exceptions, always see the water.
"This is the most important redevelopment opportunity in the Charleston South Carolina area," Newsome said. "And it is entirely dependent upon the relocation of the passenger terminal."
According to a study commissioned by the authority, cruises this year will mean $37 million to the economy in South Carolina, where tourism overall is an $18.4 billion industry. The study said cruises supported 400 jobs in the Charleston South Carolina area with $16.2 million in salaries and wages and generated $3.5 million in tax revenue.
This has been the first year-round cruising season from Charleston. In March, the Celebrity Mercury, was forced to return early on three straight trips from Charleston, plagued by outbreaks of intestinal illness. Two months later, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy arrived in town, becoming the first cruise liner to be based permanently on South Carolina's coast.
Environmentalists have expressed concern that more cruise ships in Charleston South Carolina could mean more pollution in the city's historic harbor, which will see a total of 67 cruise ship calls and more than 2,000 container and other ships this year.
Concerned that the ships bring in too many people too quickly, causing congestion and pollution, the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League has suggested officials approve rules like limiting cruise ships to one arrival at a time and capping the number of passengers and the heights of the vessels.
"Every other business that operates in Charleston, whether it is a hotel, a restaurant, a carriage company, or a retail store, abides by extensive regulations governing architecture, size of the building, types of activities that can take place, traffic impacts and more," Dana Beach, the group's executive director, wrote Monday in an op-ed article. "To allow cruise lines, which are neither Charleston South Carolina based nor incorporated in the U.S., to operate with impunity, outside of the framework of local controls that apply to other commercial enterprises, is unfair and potentially dangerous to the future of our city."
Newsome and others have said cruise ships adhere to strict environmental standards and do not dump sewage into the South Carolina harbor.
Newsome also noted the South Carolina Ports Authority has formed an advisory council with residents in the downtown neighborhoods near the terminal site. Officials hope the one-berth terminal will be open in South Carolina in two years.
"Cruises are good for Charleston South Carolina, and good for the port," Jim Newsome, Ports Authority president and CEO, said in a news release. "We are firmly committed to manage our cruise business in a way that protects and preserves that character."
In February, the Ports Authority of South Carolina unveiled its plans to renovate an existing building used by BMW for its port operations as a terminal to replace an aging cinderblock structure now almost 40 years old. The building has room for parking and dropping off passengers, avoiding snarls that sometimes occur when cruise ships call.
Besides the one-berth terminal, the plan for 63 acres on the waterfront calls for more public water access, allowing someone to walk about four miles down one side of the Charleston South Carolina peninsula and up the other and, with few exceptions, always see the water.
"This is the most important redevelopment opportunity in the Charleston South Carolina area," Newsome said. "And it is entirely dependent upon the relocation of the passenger terminal."
According to a study commissioned by the authority, cruises this year will mean $37 million to the economy in South Carolina, where tourism overall is an $18.4 billion industry. The study said cruises supported 400 jobs in the Charleston South Carolina area with $16.2 million in salaries and wages and generated $3.5 million in tax revenue.
This has been the first year-round cruising season from Charleston. In March, the Celebrity Mercury, was forced to return early on three straight trips from Charleston, plagued by outbreaks of intestinal illness. Two months later, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy arrived in town, becoming the first cruise liner to be based permanently on South Carolina's coast.
Environmentalists have expressed concern that more cruise ships in Charleston South Carolina could mean more pollution in the city's historic harbor, which will see a total of 67 cruise ship calls and more than 2,000 container and other ships this year.
Concerned that the ships bring in too many people too quickly, causing congestion and pollution, the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League has suggested officials approve rules like limiting cruise ships to one arrival at a time and capping the number of passengers and the heights of the vessels.
"Every other business that operates in Charleston, whether it is a hotel, a restaurant, a carriage company, or a retail store, abides by extensive regulations governing architecture, size of the building, types of activities that can take place, traffic impacts and more," Dana Beach, the group's executive director, wrote Monday in an op-ed article. "To allow cruise lines, which are neither Charleston South Carolina based nor incorporated in the U.S., to operate with impunity, outside of the framework of local controls that apply to other commercial enterprises, is unfair and potentially dangerous to the future of our city."
Newsome and others have said cruise ships adhere to strict environmental standards and do not dump sewage into the South Carolina harbor.
Newsome also noted the South Carolina Ports Authority has formed an advisory council with residents in the downtown neighborhoods near the terminal site. Officials hope the one-berth terminal will be open in South Carolina in two years.
Hurricane Earl not likely to affect the coastline
Hurricane Earl strengthened to a Category 4 storm Tuesday, but poses little threat of making landfall on the South Carolina coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"The chances of Earl affecting South Carolina are pretty remote," said National Hurricane Center forecaster Todd Kimberlain. "In North Carolina and up further north, the chances become greater."
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 135 mph late Tuesday night.
Forecasts have Earl making landfall anywhere from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to southeastern New England as early as Thursday night.
Kimberlain said the bulk of the forecasting models have Earl brushing very close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Earl’s outer fringes brought heavy winds to the Turks and Caicos Islands Tuesday as well. The projected track of Earl turns the storm further north and eventually northwest as it flirts with the East Coast.
"There’s been a tendency in the models to push Earl a little further west, which brings more of the coastline into play," Kimberlain said. "Residents from the Carolinas to New England need to remain very vigilant."
Kimberlain said the good news is Earl will weaken as it enters cooler northern waters and the western and weaker edge of the storm is more likely to affect the coast.
Hurricane watches, which indicate that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours, were expected to be issued soon for the North Carolina coast, according to Kimberlain.
"The chances of Earl affecting South Carolina are pretty remote," said National Hurricane Center forecaster Todd Kimberlain. "In North Carolina and up further north, the chances become greater."
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 135 mph late Tuesday night.
Forecasts have Earl making landfall anywhere from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to southeastern New England as early as Thursday night.
Kimberlain said the bulk of the forecasting models have Earl brushing very close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Earl’s outer fringes brought heavy winds to the Turks and Caicos Islands Tuesday as well. The projected track of Earl turns the storm further north and eventually northwest as it flirts with the East Coast.
"There’s been a tendency in the models to push Earl a little further west, which brings more of the coastline into play," Kimberlain said. "Residents from the Carolinas to New England need to remain very vigilant."
Kimberlain said the good news is Earl will weaken as it enters cooler northern waters and the western and weaker edge of the storm is more likely to affect the coast.
Hurricane watches, which indicate that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours, were expected to be issued soon for the North Carolina coast, according to Kimberlain.
Senate candidate Greene avoids legal question.
Democratic U.S. Senate South Carolina candidate Alvin Greene, under indictment on felony obscenity charges and slated to appear this afternoon in York South Carolina for a campaign speech and question and answer session, said this morning in a radio interview that he applied for pre-trial intervention in his case but was rejected.
Alvin Greene, 32, was charged with allegedly showing pornography on a computer to a University of South Carolina coed earlier this year, also claims the case against him is a "smear" against his campaign.
Greene appeared live in studio on WBT radio in Charlotte South Carolina, after having given that station in North Carolina several previous telephone interviews since he beat heavily favored former legislator and judge Vic Rawl in the June primary. Greene's South Carolina arrest became public knowledge after he won the primary - a race in which he did no campaigning and raised no money.
Greene said that justice is a main part of his platform and that all first-time non-violent offenders should by law by offered pre-trial intervention.
In the radio interview, Greene called the case against him "ridiculous" but offered few details other than claiming he applied for the program that is often used for first-time non-violent offenders. The program typically allows an offender to avoid criminal prosecution by going through a diversion program.
Greene also briefly danced to a hip-hop campaign song that is part of his campaign, and avoided a few calls from South Carolina listeners.
Greene is scheduled to arrive at the Coal Yard restaurant in York South Carolina at 6 p.m. for an event with the political Western York County Forum that starts at 6:30 p.m.
Greene is an unemployed military veteran who lives in Manning South Carolina with his father.
It is a public event is.
Alvin Greene, 32, was charged with allegedly showing pornography on a computer to a University of South Carolina coed earlier this year, also claims the case against him is a "smear" against his campaign.
Greene appeared live in studio on WBT radio in Charlotte South Carolina, after having given that station in North Carolina several previous telephone interviews since he beat heavily favored former legislator and judge Vic Rawl in the June primary. Greene's South Carolina arrest became public knowledge after he won the primary - a race in which he did no campaigning and raised no money.
Greene said that justice is a main part of his platform and that all first-time non-violent offenders should by law by offered pre-trial intervention.
In the radio interview, Greene called the case against him "ridiculous" but offered few details other than claiming he applied for the program that is often used for first-time non-violent offenders. The program typically allows an offender to avoid criminal prosecution by going through a diversion program.
Greene also briefly danced to a hip-hop campaign song that is part of his campaign, and avoided a few calls from South Carolina listeners.
Greene is scheduled to arrive at the Coal Yard restaurant in York South Carolina at 6 p.m. for an event with the political Western York County Forum that starts at 6:30 p.m.
Greene is an unemployed military veteran who lives in Manning South Carolina with his father.
It is a public event is.
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