News In Brief - July 3, 2008

By Charles D. Perry - Charles D. Perry

York man awaits sentence for weapons violation

A 41-year-old York man has admitted to a firearm violation in federal court, according to a press release issued by U.S. attorney Walter Wilkins.

Joel T. Bristol pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Bristol, who faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, will be sentenced at a later date, according to the release.

Bristol is prohibited from having guns or ammunition because of his prior convictions for possession of cocaine, indecent liberties with a child and escape.

On Nov. 16, 2006, York County sheriff's deputies went to Bristol's residence with a warrant to arrest him after an assault. Authorities arrested Bristol after finding him in a car. According to the release, Bristol had a 12-gauge shotgun and shells in his pants pockets.

Deputies found a stolen pistol and another shotgun in the car.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York County Sheriff's Office.

-- Kimberly Dick

Troopers on lookout for impaired drivers

The state Highway Patrol has stepped up its search for impaired drivers and speeders for the July Fourth weekend.

Motorists are advised to be on the lookout for public safety checkpoints, radar and more troopers on high-traffic and crash-prone roads.

The area has seen an increase in fatalities this year, up 12 over this time last year, according to the Highway Patrol. Last year, four people were killed in the state during the July 4 holiday travel period.

The special enforcement during the holiday weekend will include:

• Radar enforcement on U.S. 521 and S.C. 9;

• DUI patrols in the Great Falls area; and

• Public safety checkpoints on river access roads to prevent DUI-related collisions.

The official July Fourth travel period begins 6 tonight and ends at midnight Monday.

-- Kimberly Dick

Authorities seek dog that bit Chester Co. deputy

CHESTER -- The Chester County Sheriff's Office hopes to find the dog that bit a deputy this week.

Deputy Randy Marsh stopped to check an abandoned vehicle on Woods Ferry Road on Monday night when the attack happened, said Sheriff Robby Benson.

"He saw the dog, but the dog didn't act aggressive with him," Benson said. "All of sudden, it just came up and bit him."

Marsh fired a round and thought he'd shot the dog, but the animal got away, Benson said. The bite left a gash on Marsh's leg, but he wasn't seriously hurt and is taking antibiotics.

Deputies hope to find the dog so it can be tested for rabies.

Gardner-Webb business school named for couple

Gardner-Webb University has named its School of Business after Rock Hill couple John and Linda Godbold, according to a press release.

The school was named in recognition of the multimillion dollar gift from the Godbold family to Gardner-Webb. The Godbold School of Business will house the Broyhill Undergraduate School of Management and the Graduate School of Business.

John Godbold graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in marketing and spent nearly 50 years in the banking industry, including 17 years in Cleveland County, N.C. In 1989, he founded Carolina State Bank in Shelby, N.C., where he began his relationship with Gardner-Webb.

"I've always been impressed with Gardner-Webb and its leadership and the position it has taken in the community and the region," John Godbold said in the release.

Located in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb is home to nearly 4,000 students.

-- Kimberly Dick

S.C. teen faces charges in girl's death, assault

GREENVILLE -- A 14-year-old boy was charged Wednesday in the death and sexual assault of an 8-year-old Greenville County girl whose body was found in an abandoned mobile home, authorities said.

Sheriff's deputy Michael Hildebrand said the teenager turned himself in Wednesday and was charged with murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Officials filed charges in part because of DNA testing results, Hildebrand said.