About 250 airmen at Shaw Air Force Base will begin processing this week for an upcoming mission to Iraq.

The airmen, members of the 77th Fighter Squadron and 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, are scheduled to leave the Sumter air base later this month.

The service members, who'll be in Iraq for four months, must go through processing to make sure they have an assortment of paperwork - from pay forms to wills - in order.

This will be the fourth time one of Shaw's three F-16 squadrons has deployed to Iraq since 2003.

The last unit that went was the 55th Fighter Squadron, which deployed from October 2008 to January 2009. The unit is scheduled to deploy again in spring.

Shaw's 79th Fighter Squadron is currently deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and is scheduled to return later this month.

- Chuck Crumbo

Lake Murray sirens to be tested today

A test of emergency sirens at Lake Murray will occur at noon today.

The warnings will sound for three minutes as part of an annual check.

- Tim Flach

Prosecutor named as acting U.S. attorney

A federal prosecutor has been named acting U.S. attorney for South Carolina.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald was tapped for the role Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

McDonald takes over for Walt Wilkins, who stepped down from the post Sunday after a year and a half in office.

President Barack Obama has nominated Columbia defense attorney Bill Nettles for the job, but Nettles has not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate yet.

McDonald has been with the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Carolina for 10 years. He also served as acting U.S. attorney in 2008 when Reggie Lloyd stepped down to become chief of the State Law Enforcement Division.

- The Associated Press

King parade to bring Lexington traffic delays

Traffic delays are expected in downtown Lexington Sunday during a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday parade.

Delays are expected on Main Street, Lake Drive and roads crossing both between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., police said.

- Tim Flach

Christmas tree mulch available at Clemson Road

Mulch from discarded Christmas trees is still available from Keep the Midlands Beautiful.

The only pickup spot now is the Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development at 900 Clemson Road, the organization said in a Monday news release.

The site is open all the time. People must load their own mulch and provide their own pitchforks, buckets or bags.

Call (803) 733-1139.- Dawn Hinshaw

Neighborhood cleanups planned

Those interested in a cleaner environment have two upcoming volunteer opportunities Saturday and Monday, in partnership with Keep the Midlands Beautiful:

Saturday: The Third Saturday Cleanup, which this weekend is at Martin Luther King Park, Martin Luther King Neighborhood and the Lyon Street Neighborhood. Third Saturday is a monthly cleanup event.

Monday: As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Action, there will be a litter cleanup in the Hyatt Park/Keenan Terrace Neighborhood.

Those interested in volunteering can call (803) 733-1139.

- Staff Reports