Business Briefs
by John Temple Ligon
      On the job During 2008, S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster's Insurance Fraud Division secured 135 convictions for insurance fraud, a 44 percent increase over 2007, when there were 94 convictions. Headhunter Junior Achievement of S.C. is looking to replace Mary Weston Grimball as president and CEO. Grimball, who headed JACSC for four years, resigned effective June 30.
More ...

Talent attraction for the long term
By John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com
      According to Charlotte- based bizjournals.com, the hottest job market in the country last October was Houston, Texas. Among the country's top 100 hottest job markets, Detroit was No. 100. Looking around the Southeast for cities among the top 100 hottest in the country, Raleigh, N.C. was No. 4, and Charlotte was No. 7. Inside S.C.
More ...

Was it legal to publish Sanford's emails?
Commentary by John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com
      On June 24, last Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford held a State House press conference. As he phrased it, he put his cards on the table and let the "chips fall where they may." They're still falling.
More ...

Adrienne Huffman of the State Museum Foundation
By John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com
      The State Museum opened about 20 years ago, and now it's about to open an astronomy section with a planetarium and an observatory and support spaces, all for $23,500,000. The additions together are called Windows to New Worlds.
More ...

Red Cross honors volunteers at annual meeting
Contributed by the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina
      The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina and the South Carolina Blood Services Region hosted the Past, Present & Future 2009 Annual Meeting at the South Carolina State Museum on June 24. The meeting was a chance for the Red Cross to honor staff, key volunteers, and sponsors and to celebrate its lifesaving work in the local community and beyond.
More ...

Folks about town
      Er in McCask ill has joi ned First Citizens in West Columbia as a relationship manager.
More ...

KeenanSuggs to partner with Community Bank
Contributed by KeenanSuggs
      Community Bank Services (CBS), the largest insurance agency in North Carolina concentrating on risk management and insurance coverages for the banking industry, has approved a partnership with Keenan- Suggs of Columbia, South Carolina that will provide expanded coverage to clients.
More ...

Southeastern rolls through recession
Contributed by Southeastern Freight Lines
      The trucking industry, the engine of nation's economy, is suffering during the recession, resulting in elimination of services, widespread layoffs, thousands of bankruptcies, and even talks of YRC Worldwide, the nation's largest publicly traded trucking company, asking for bailout money.
More ...