Public Safety

Columbus County Schools will all be phone free spacees when classes start back next month. The school board has approved a new policy requiring all students in grades 9-12 leave their telephones in “Yondr” pouches that keep phones locked through the school day. Children in grades K-8 must have their phones powered off and in bookbags, according to a social media post by the schools. Provisions will be...

Detectives have charged a woman with abusing her infant son. Katelyn Regina Hinson, 21, of 569 Beaver Dam Rd., Clarendon, was released on a $1,500 unsecured bond, according to Detention Center reports. She was charged with a single count of felony negligent child abuse, resulting in serious bodily injuries. The sheriff’s office reported that detectives and deputies were called to Columbus Regional Monday after a call about suspected...