The Emmett Scott class of 1963 will meet at 5 p.m. Saturday at Bannon Hall, 902 Crawford Road, Rock Hill. For details, call Carol Perry at 980-1513.

Tax holiday ahead for gun purchases, appliances

COLUMBIA -- Whether you're shopping for a shotgun or an energy-efficient washing machine, S.C. lawmakers want to give you a tax break. This week, House lawmakers gave key approval to a bill that:

• Exempts handguns, rifles and shotguns from state sales tax during the biggest shopping weekend of the year. "Second Amendment Weekend" is scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving 2009.

• Allows South Carolinians buying energy-efficient appliances to also forego the state sales tax. Dishwashers, dryers, even fluorescent light bulbs would be exempt from state sales tax from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. The tax-free Energy Efficiency Month also would begin next year.

-- The (Columbia) State

Powerball winner fears for his safety

COLUMBIA -- The Gaston 19-year-old who won a $35.3 million Powerball jackpot is looking to hire a bodyguard after friends alerted him to possible threats.

"I've been getting a lot of warnings from friends I trust that the word is going around people are plotting on you," said Jonathan Vargas, who is the youngest person and only South Carolinian to claim the S.C. Education Lottery Powerball Jackpot.

North Carolinians had purchased the previous four Powerball jackpot tickets sold in South Carolina.

Vargas, a construction worker, will take a lump sum of $17 million.

-- The (Columbia) State