SC Lays Down the Law on Domestic Abuse Offenders

Domestic Violence

In 2003, Aiken County led the state with the most domestic violence deaths in one year. For at least the last four years South Carolina has been in the top 10 for the most domestic violence cases per year.

Statistics like these have caused South Carolina legislators to take action. As of January 1, penalties for domestic violence offenders got tougher.

“I really think that once offenders see it not going to be a slap on the wrist and then a turn back out the door, they’re going to understand that it’s fairly serious at this point,” said Riley Bost, a Domestic Violence Investigator with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Department.

Under the old law the maximum fine for a first time offender was $500 or 30 days in jail. That’s now jumped to minimum fine of $2,100.

The maximum penalty for second time offenders was $1,000 or 30 days in jail. It’s now $5,000 and a year in prison.

Third time offenders had a mandatory sentence of 90 days in jail. Now a third domestic abuse offense is considered a felony and punishable by one to five years in prison.

Kay Mixon is the director of the Cumbee Center, a refuge for battered women and men. She says the changes are a step in the right direction.

“The best way to reach a batterer is in his pocket,” said Mixon. “They should have to pay.”

Gay Marriage Ban Divider For Churches

Gay Marriage Ban

On the 96.3 Kiss FM morning show with Fattz and Cher, the topic was gay marriage and there was no shortage of opinion.

“To each his own, but I think congress needs to sit down and worry about other issues, i.e. the war,” one caller said.

“This particular topic generated hot phones all morning long, long after the show was over,” says Cher Best of ‘Fatt and Cher’.

The show’s discussion centered on the court’s right to make decisions on personal relationships. The hosts say they were surprised at the diversity of the callers.

Doctor Andy Reese, author and Ministry Associate with the Unitarian Universalist Church says the issue is causing uproar in several faith groups. His church accepts gay couples and ordains them in ministry. But he says the political and religious battle is far from over for other groups.

“People like to talk about sex, we are all interested in sex but that is not the message of the old and new testament. The message is about people, about love,” says Reese.

Nationally, The issue of sexually based topics and the church was the subject of a recent article by Reverend Al Sharpton. Sharpton says many churches are focusing on gay marriage instead of topics like poverty and voting. Saying the discussions quote “drive a wedge through our people.”

“It (gay marriage) is not right. God made woman for man and man for woman,” one caller remarked.

NBC Names New Red Team Trainer Kim Lyons To Weigh-In On Hit Reality Show ‘THE BIGGEST LOSER’

Red Team Trainer Kim Lyons

Fitness competitor, trainer and nutritionist Kim Lyons joins NBC’s hit reality show “The Biggest Loser” as the Red Team trainer in the weight-loss series that has started filming its third season.

“We are thrilled to have Kim join ‘The Biggest Loser’ team. We believe that her expertise in fitness and nutrition is synonymous with what ‘The Biggest Loser’ is all about.” said Ben Silverman, executive producer and Reveille CEO.

Lyons has been an expert in the fitness industry for a little over a decade. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in human development and nutrition in 1995. Following graduation, Lyons took a more serious approach to weight training by teaching aerobic classes and getting certifications with the National Academy of Sports Medicine for personal training and nutrition.

In 2000, Lyons segued into fitness competitions and won numerous contests nationally and internationally. Her mission has always been to excel in motivating others to achieve their goals in the fitness arena. Armed with her positive attitude, Lyons strives to find a way to make fitness fun and achievable for her clients. In addition, she has also become one of the fitness industry’s most photographed models, appearing on more than 30 covers worldwide.

The first reality series in which everybody “loses,” “The Biggest Loser” challenges and encourages overweight participants to undergo radical physical makeovers, without any kind of surgery, in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they complete for a grand prize of $250,000. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 35 territories and 15 countries.

“The Biggest Loser” returns THIS FALL to NBC!