Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Myrtle Beach and Florence

Tuesday, April 09, 2013  In South Carolina, it is against the law to fire someone because they smoke while not on the job. But the S.C. Hospital Association, citing statistics that say smoking costs the state $1.9 billion a year in productivity losses, says it should have the freedom to not hire smokers.

Thursday, November 01, 2012  The lobbying organization representing South Carolina's hospitality industry has a new leader and a new name.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012  A woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $400,000 from the South Carolina Hospitality Association has been sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Sunday, August 12, 2012  The state Hospitality Association's former accountant will be sentenced this week for stealing $500,000 from her employer.

Sunday, April 29, 2012  The South Carolina Hospitality Association's former accounting director says an online betting addiction led to her taking about $500,000 from the group and gambling it all away.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012  A former South Carolina Hospitality Association employee has pleaded guilty to embezzling about $500,000 from the group and prosecutors said she had a sexual relationship with the director who killed himself.

Thursday, April 19, 2012  A former employee of the South Carolina Hospitality Association has admitted she embezzled nearly $500,000 from the group whose director killed himself earlier this year.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012  According to one online addiction website, the total revenue from online gambling topped $29 billion last year.

Thursday, March 08, 2012  An independent audit of the South Carolina Hospitality Association has revealed nearly $400,000 missing from the association's accounts, according to a source close to the investigation. A Columbia accounting firm hired by the association conducted the forensic audit.

Thursday, March 08, 2012  COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Officials with a lobbying organization at the center of a federal investigation surrounding hundreds of thousands of dollars which led to the suicide of its founder plan to hold a news conference.

Thursday, March 01, 2012  Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association president Stephen Greene said an ongoing fight over hotel pool enclosures and the legal definition of seasonal employees are a couple of the main issues of concern for the hospitality industry. Right now, the state association representing the industry has no lobbyist, but Greene said the organization can still push ahead successfully on those matters without one.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012  Richland County officials say the president of South Carolina's Hospitality Association died around the same time he was reported missing more than a week ago.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012  The body of the South Carolina Hospitality Association president missing for more than a week has been found, and Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott says Tom Sponseller died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Monday, February 27, 2012  Federal officials have confirmed that they are investigating several hundred thousand missing from the South Carolina Hospitality Association.

Friday, February 24, 2012  Police are hoping that tips that continue to stream in will yield information about a missing South Carolina executive.