Free Republic

It is no secret Republicans are at war with each other – especially in South Carolina. Late last month, we reported on the latest GOP infighting in the Palmetto State – where two sycophants of former U.S. president Donald Trump are battling each other for the right to lead the state party ahead of its 2024 “First in the South” presidential primary. Earlier today, this intra-party fight began receiving some national media attention … Additionally, this news outlet has noted how similar ideological fault lines are emerging within GOP legislative caucuses … which are currently at each other’s throats over...

Former Vice President Mike Pence plans to next month give his first speech since leaving office, talking to a Christian nonprofit group in South Carolina. An unnamed Pence aide told the Associated Press on Sunday the Indiana Republican will speak at a dinner hosted by the Christian non-profit group the Palmetto Family Council. The paid event is expected to attract 450 to 600 guests April 29 at the Columbian Metropolitan Convention Center in South Carolina. Vice President Mike Pence … is very reflective of the ideas, policies, policies and direction that we at Palmetto Family want to see in South...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Just days ago, the nearly 1,300-pound, powerful jumping horse with a shiny chestnut coat named Phedras de Blondel arrived at his new home in the U.S., a farm owned by a champion rider in Florida. On Sunday morning, his owner discovered a horrific scene near his stall: the 12-year-old gelding had been slaughtered and butchered, most likely for his meat. Only his head and neck were left intact. Now, detectives are trying to find the perpetrators. “What they did to this horse had nothing to do with his value,” Debbie Stephens, who owns the 27-acre...

CONWAY, S.C. - Horry County Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Comfort Ct. in Conway for a domestic violence call Friday. The woman who called police said she got a call from her son saying he thought he killed his girlfriend. When police arrived John Scott, 19, of Georgetown got out of the car with his hands in the air and told police his girlfriend, Eboni Drayton, 21, was in the house. Police said they found blood splatter on the door and the handle of the door of the house. The report stated she was found lying on...

PALMETTO - Authorities in Manatee County are on the lookout for at least two gunmen who shot up a Palmetto nightclub early Saturday morning. Two people – 25-year-old Trayon Goff of Palmetto and 38-year-old Gwenette Matthews of Bradenton - were killed and 22 others injured. According to a Palmetto Police Department report, the gunmen opened fire on a crow of people standing outside of Club Elite at 704 10th St. West at approximately 12:30 am. Goff died outside of the club and Matthew was inside investigators say.

At least two gunmen armed with possible semi-automatic weapons opened fire outside a Florida nightclub early Saturday morning, killing two people and injuring 22, according to police.Hunt said the torrent of bullets seemed to be aimed at Goff who was outside, sitting up against the front wall of the building.

The debate is divided into sections on Youtube, each lasting several minutes.

A Palmetto woman, 28, was attacked by her boyfriend Sunday after he woke up to discover she had put makeup on him. The suspect was actually so enraged he attacked three people at his girlfriend’s residence before fleeing on foot and hiding from authorities, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.

This is Carolina Day, the 232nd anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sullivan. If you are not a native of South Carolinian (and possibly even if you are), you likely have never heard of Fort Sullivan and the significance of this day. Most American school children have heard stirring stories of the battles of Concord Bridge and Lexington Green, relatively minor skirmishes fought by the Minutemen of Revolutionary lore. These were fought in April 1775, and at Concord Bridge was fired the "shot heard 'round the world." But it was at an unfinished, palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island where the...

A brand new Whit Ayers poll of 600 South Carolina voters — 300 likely Republican presidential primary voters and 300 likely Democratic primary voters — was released Monday. Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are in a statistical dead heat among Republicans with Fred Thompson in a close fourth. And for Democrats, Hillary Clinton is dusting the field with a 19 point lead over second place Barack Obama.REPUBLICANS: Mitt Romney - 20% Rudy Giuliani - 19% John McCain - 17% Fred Thompson - 13% Mike Huckabee - 8% Ron Paul - 3% Duncan Hunter - 1% Tom Tancredo...

Saw palmetto flunks prostate exam Nathan Seppa An herbal supplement used by 2.5 million men in the United States has failed to outperform a dummy capsule when taken for urinary problems. Some men treat themselves for enlarged prostate glands by taking saw palmetto extract, which is derived from the berries of the North American scrub palm (Serenoa repens). The condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), squeezes the urethra, making urination difficult and frequent. Symptoms include a need to get up at night to urinate. Several earlier studies showed that although saw palmetto didn't shrink the prostate, it eased urinary symptoms...

On a hunch six years ago, Chip Prezioso opened a shop specializing in items emblazoned with South Carolina’s palmetto tree and crescent moon logo. He couldn’t have picked a better time because the state was about to go palmetto crazy. Now the symbols are seemingly everywhere, from bumper stickers, T-shirts and flip-flops to neckties, golf balls and jewelry. Prezioso’s business — Palmetto Promotions, off Columbia’s Rosewood Drive near Williams-Brice Stadium — is on track to sell more than $1 million in merchandise this year. “I think South Carolina has been beat up over a lot of things. We’re like 49th...

Pee Dee Area Freeper Lunch Join us for lunch and good conversation. Where: Western Sizzlin' Florence, South Carolina When: Saturday, January 3, 2004, 12 Noon The Western Sizzlin is on the frontage road of David McLeod Blvd, directly across from Magnolia Mall. Take the I-20 Spur (East), at the first traffic signal take a right and then an immediate left on to the frontage road. The Western Sizzlin is about 150 yards on the right. North Carolina FReepers are welcome to join us. Just follow the "South of the Border" signs and continue south for another 25 miles.

Flag emblem's popularity grows Twenty years ago, Lark Jones wanted to show his pride for South Carolina by flying a state flag in front of his North Augusta law office.But after looking almost everywhere, he found no flag.In the end, he bought some blue cloth and stitched onto it the state's crescent moon and palmetto tree insignia. Today, he's replaced the faded blue state flag with a bright new one, and he has a closet full of clothing that has the state flag emblem.He has ties, belts, golf shirts - even hats. It seems these days that the emblem is...