An Orangeburg man charged in a break-in and the beating of an Orangeburg businessman was sentenced to prison Tuesday after a guilty plea before a Circuit Court judge.

Nafyis Miller, 22, of 132 Faigler Circle, was sentenced to 17 years after he pleaded guilty to armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill and second-degree burglary.

The charge stemmed from an April 20 incident, when county deputies got a call from a woman who said her neighbor was being beaten with a baseball bat outside his residence.

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Man turns himself in

to face shooting charges

An Elloree man turned himself in Tuesday morning to face allegations that he shot two people at a Santee nightclub.

Jason C. Shivers, 29, of 1057 West Harlin St. Elloree is facing two charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Shivers received a $75,000 bond.

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RMC board k.jpg leader

A laundry list of complaints and allegations of procedural misconduct and incompetency against Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Chairman James Amaker was presented during a specially called hospital meeting Monday afternoon.

Discussion and dissension about proper board procedures and the actions of the chairman led to a failed motion -- deemed to be "out of order" -- for the chairman's resignation.

But on Tuesday during a regular meeting, the motion was allowed. Trustees then voted 9-7 to keep the chairman. There was no discussion at Tuesday's meeting.

Trustee Danny Covington alleged Amaker failed to follow through on fellow trustee concerns about keeping proper board minutes and agendas, stacked various hospital committees, conducted illegal meetings and circumvented the board on various matters.

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Bamberg hospital

plans 'downsizing'

Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center, in a move to improve its financial position, will reduce its current full-time staff of 260 employees by 15 percent, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in salary and benefit expenses, according to a statement issued Thursday afternoon by the facility's Board of Trustees.

The hospital is examining "critical areas" that need to be addressed to staunch the hospital's ongoing losses -- at $2 million through June 30 -- with three months to go in the fiscal year.

Hospital officials say consolidation of departments and downsizing would not impact services.

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Drug lab, Orangeburg Idol earn top statewide awards

Orangeburg received state recognition last weekend for its efforts in cracking down on crime and for its Orangeburg Idol contest during the Municipal Association of South Carolina's 68th Annual Meeting in Charleston.

The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety's regional law enforcement forensic laboratory received the Municipal Achievement Award. The Orangeburg Idol event earned the 2007 Main Street South Carolina Inspiration Award for Outstanding Promotional Event.

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Alleged shooter sent

to state hospital

A Eutawville man charged with the 2007 shooting of a newspaper carrier will be committed for treatment at a state mental hospital as a result of a probate court hearing Tuesday, according to a state prosecutor.

John Henry Isaac, 65, of 117 Sikes Road, was charged with assault and battery with intent to kill.

Investigators allege he blasted the 73-year-old carrier with a sawed-off shotgun on Aug. 11, 2007. After his arrest, Isaac was also charged with arson and pointing and presenting a firearm.

The 15-minute hearing placed Isaac in the care of the state for treatment until a time when he can stand trial.

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Doctors seek to create

free clinic in Orangeburg

A group of doctors is looking to establish a free clinic in Orangeburg County to serve individuals without any insurance.

The clinic, which is being championed by Orangeburg doctor Bert Gue, would provide patients with basic medical care.

The Regional Medical Center has a committee of community members evaluating the idea. A location for the clinic, types of services provided and costs associated with its establishment have

not been determined.

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