– Marlboro Senator John C. Lindsay charged last week that South Carolina stores are breaking the law by charging one and a half per cent interest a month. Under present laws, Sen. Lindsay said stores can charge a total of 8 per cent annual interest. Charges now at 18 per cent in many places are unlawful, he contends, and the legislature should either halt or legalize the practice.

– A bill forming a County Council form of government introduced into the S.C. House of Representatives Tuesday has received the key three readings required and tomorrow will head for the Senate.

– At least two persons attended Thursday’s meeting of the United Methodist Conferences where it was decided to join the black and white groups permanently. The historic merger plan vote will change things in S.C. when the union is completed in 1975.

– Congressman John L. McMillan announced Saturday that the Farmers Home Administration has approved a loan of $237,000 and a grant of $42,000 to the Wallace Water Company, Inc. of Marlboro County. The loan and grant funds will enable the company to develop a rural community water system to serve 230 families in the Wallace area.

– Students attending Bennettsville Junior High School on the Gibson Highway were inconvenienced Monday because of a bomb scare. No bomb was found.