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• Beaufort County hospitality leaders prepare for busy Memorial Day weekend
  Local hospitality industry leaders are expecting the busiest Memorial Day weekend in recent years, as plummeting gas prices and a rebounding economy are expected to contribute to what's already been a busy tourism season in Beaufort County.

• Weather update: National Hurricane Center predicts 'normal' season
  The hurricane season runs from Jun 1st-Nov 30th, and NOAA's National Hurricane Center predicts a normal season of between 9-15 named storms this year (average is 12), 4-8 hurricanes (average is 6) and 1-3 major hurricanes (average is 3).

• Bluffton golf store manager to challenge fine over sign violation
  The manager of a discount golf store in Moss Creek that uses dancing people to attract business says he'll challenge a fine issued last month by Beaufort County Code Enforcement for a sign violation. Manager Jim Criswell says the violation happened when the sign-wavers placed the signs on the ground.

• Priest barred from performing mass at SC jail
  A Catholic priest has been barred from performing mass for Charleston County jail inmates for refusing to use grape juice instead of wine in the sacrament.

• Phillip Phillips is the new 'American Idol'
  Phillip Phillips, a bluesy Georgia guitar man, was crowned the new "American Idol" on Wednesday after defeating teenager Jessica Sanchez in record viewer voting. He was the fifth male "Idol" winner in a row.

• AP source: Man says he suffocated boy in 1979
  A law enforcement official said Thursday that a man has told police that he suffocated Etan Patz, the 6-year-old boy whose disappearance on his way to school in 1979 helped give rise to the missing-children's movement that put youngsters' faces on milk cartons.

• Woman who tossed $1M lotto ticket wants money
  An Arkansas woman who threw away a winning lottery ticket worth $1 million filed paperwork Monday arguing that another woman who plucked the ticket out of the trash should turn the prize money over to the court.

• First 787 built in SC takes maiden flight
  South Carolina's burgeoning aeronautics industry flew by another milestone Wednesday as the first Boeing 787 manufactured in the state completed its maiden flight.

• Haley travels to campaign for Wisconsin governor
  South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is traveling to Wisconsin next week to campaign for Gov. Scott Walker.