State and region

Woman drives into pond, drowns

A 73-year-old Cayce woman drowned Friday evening after driving into a North Charleston retention pond.

The Charleston County Coroner's office identified the victim as Anne Watson.

She was pulled out of her vehicle minutes after she drove into a pond at a shopping center off Rivers Avenue, shortly after 7 p.m. Friday. Authorities said heavy rains might have contributed to her death.

Onlookers called the North Charleston police department and helped an officer rescue the woman. Emergency responders transported her to Roper Hospital, where she later died.

North Charleston police said the incident remains under investigation.

Dairy plant closing to kill 151 jobs

FLORENCE -- A Dallas-based food company says it will close a South Carolina dairy plant in October, eliminating 151 jobs.

The Morning News of Florence reported that Dean Foods said in a news release last week that it would phase out production over the next two months.

The nation's largest milk maker reported its earnings fell sharply in the second quarter, and stock analysts said the company needs to reduce the amount of milk it makes to cut costs.

Dean Foods has about 100 dairies nationwide and in the past few years has closed plants in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Florence County reported a jobless rate of 11.1 percent in June.

Benedict to host safety event

COLUMBIA -- A South Carolina college is kicking off the new school year with a showcase of ways to stay safe.

Benedict College is hosting on Saturday the 4th annual Strengthening Our Neighborhood Community Day in Columbia.

Officers from the Columbia Police Department and Richland County Sheriff's Department are scheduled to conduct community policing and crime prevention demonstrations.

Children who attend will be eligible to receive school supplies for the upcoming school year.

Organizers say the event got started as a partnership with the United Negro College Fund through the U.S. Department of Justice. It's planned each year for the Saturday before the Richland School District 1 school year begins.