White, Powdery Substance Found in Envelope at State House

Operations are back to normal at the South Carolina Statehouse after authorities descended on the complex to investigate reports of a suspicious substance.

By: Associated Press & Staff Reports | WSPA-TV
Published: October 06, 2009

**Update 3:50 p.m.**
Authorities investigating powder at SC Statehouse
Eds: APNewsNow. UPDATES with normal operations resuming at
Statehouse.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Operations are back to normal at the South Carolina Statehouse after authorities descended on the complex to investigate reports of a suspicious substance.
Public Safety spokesman Sid Gaulden says authorities were alerted Tuesday morning after an employee sorting mail at the Wade Hampton building noticed a powdery substance on an envelope.
State and federal agents suited up and entered the building. An Army team that investigates weapons of mass destruction was also called in.
The powder has not been identified.
Gov. Mark Sanford maintains a conference room in the Hampton Building, but spokesman Ben Fox declined to say if the envelope had been intended for the governor.
Sanford has been traveling Tuesday and was not at the Statehouse.

**Update 2:00 p.m.**
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The South Carolina Statehouse has been put on alert as authorities investigate reports of a suspicious package delivered to the complex.
Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday that Columbia Deputy Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins says powder came out of a package delivered Tuesday to the Wade Hampton Building.
Gov. Mark Sanford maintains a conference room in the Hampton Building. Spokesman Ben Fox said he did not know if the package had been intended for the governor.
Jenkins says no injuries have been reported. A nearby street has been blocked off while authorities investigate.
A SLED spokesperson says they have no information to release as of 3:00 p.m.