Briefly

Summerville man named state forester

COLUMBIA — A Summerville man who is a former chairman of a private forest conservation group has been named South Carolina's state forester.

Henry Kodama is a former chairman of the South Carolina Forestry Association and has worked in various positions in the commercial forestry industry. He starts Jan. 1 and replaces Bob Schowalter, who is retiring after seven years.

Kodama worked for three decades with MeadWestvaco and then later worked as chief executive of Forest Technology Group.

Police arrest suspect in bank robbery

Charleston police arrested a Walterboro man Friday in connection with a bank robbery last month in West Ashley.

Kent Steven Boone, 44, is charged with entering a financial institution with intent to steal. A warrant accuses him of robbing the Southcoast Community Bank at 802 Savannah Highway around 3:25 p.m. Aug. 8.

The robber jumped over the front counter and brandished a handgun at tellers, police said.

Magistrate Priscilla Baldwin set bail at $100,000 and Boone was transferred from the Charleston County jail to Dorchester County.

Obama supporters 'walk for change'

When South Carolina supporters of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama held their first "walk for change" in June, about 330 took part. Today, when Obama supporters gather at 30 sites statewide before fanning out into neighborhoods and going door to door, the campaign expects about 1,000 people.

In the Lowcountry, supporters of the U.S. senator from Illinois will gather at 11 a.m. at these sites: the Summerville Library parking lot at 76 Old Trolley Road in Summerville; at Obama's headquarters at 109 President St. in Charleston; and at the parking lot of Berkeley High School, 406 W. Main St., Moncks Corner.

Sign up at sc.barackobama.com or by calling 724-1108.

McCain plans return trip to Charleston

Republican presidential contender U.S. Sen. John McCain plans to return to Charleston on Wednesday as part of a three-day swing through the state.

McCain plans to address the College of Charleston's bully pulpit series at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Physicians Auditorium, 72 George St. It will be his second visit to Charleston in as many weeks as he seeks to regain the front-runner status.

Elementary school to be dedicated

Dorchester County's new William M. Reeves Jr. Elementary School will be dedicated and opened for tours at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The school is located next to DuBose Middle School at 1003 DuBose School Road, which is off Orangeburg Road.