Charleston Chronicle Exclusives
Goin’ Golfin’ – Mt. Pleasant Fire Chief Herbert Williams Retires After 32 Years
By Barney Blakeney Former Mount Pleasant Fire Department Chief Herbert Williams says his 32 years with the department, retiring after serving the last 12 years as its chief, is testimony that God performs miracles. The Bennettsville native says he previously worked for the S.C. Department of Transportation with co-workers who had spent decades on the…
Read MoreNorth Charleston Playground Named in Honor of Rev. Ed McClain
By Barney Blakeney Last month North Charleston city officials dedicated a part of Collins Park that includes the playground and basketball court in honor of Rev. Ed McClain. McClain is a retired AME Church pastor of Calvary AME Church in North Charleston and an educator who retired as principal at Norman C. Toole Elementary School…
Read MorePrimary Elections Produce Surprises In Races
By Barney Blakeney Tuesday’s primary elections produced some local surprises. Charleston County voters wrought surprises in the primary races for Probate Court Judge electing Stephanie Ganaway-Pasley as the Democratic nominee and in the Register of Deeds Democratic primary electing Michael Miller. At the state level Gov. Henry McMaster maintained his lead as the Republican incumbent,…
Read MoreAt Murray’s Mortuary The Circle Remains Unbroken
By Barney Blakeney For Grippon Boags, Chardale Murray and Rev. Charlie Murray, a relationship that is their triangle has come full circle. Boags took Chardale Murray under his wings while she still was in high school training her to become a mortician. He later took her younger brother Charlie under his wing as well and…
Read MoreA Fitting Tribute To A Servant Of God And Country
Many Americans who wear their racism on their sleeves are fond of saying that either they or their ancestors served in America’s military – implying that only white Americans have fought for America. Nothing could be further from the truth. From the earliest days of America – from Crispus Attucks to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment to…
Read MoreAtlantic Beach Bikefest In Decline, But Rolling On
By Barney Blakeney Even with scattered rains the annual Memorial Day Weekend, Black Bikefest wasn’t a complete washout. But the event continued in steady decline. According to one estimate, only about 25,000 attendees showed up for the 38-year-old annual event that in the past has drawn about 300,000. And revenues to the town of Atlantic…
Read MoreNew Director Engages Adult Daycare Clients
By Patrice Smith Curtis Inabinett, the new director at the Sea Island Adult Daycare on Johns Island, has been on the job for just four months but he’s already making a huge impact on the center’s clients. “Our clients are elderly and have dementia or Alzheimer’s so it’s imperative that their minds are stimulated,” Inabinett…
Read MoreAirport Revenue Flying High, Black Businesses Still Low Balled
By Barney Blakeney By most accounts, Charleston International Airport is in good financial shape. The approximately $200 million Charleston International Airport Terminal Redevelopment and Improvement Program (TRIP) was completed in 2016. The county’s aviation authority, which sets policy for the airport, is set to start another building project: construction of a second parking deck estimated…
Read MoreMyers Crossing Training Prepares Students For Life-changing Occupations
By Barney Blakeney Debbie Myers believes if her students can take her beating four weeks, they’ll leave her heavy equipment operation training class prepared for a lifestyle change. She is the only African American woman in the state and perhaps the country who owns and operates a heavy equipment operation training school, Myers Crossing, LLC. Myers…
Read MoreLAMC Director Provides Update On Allocation Spending
By Barney Blakeney The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) has been working quietly, but effectively to serve as good stewards of the $4 million S.C. State Port Authority allocated as mitigation to the seven communities adjacent to the new SPA terminal being built at the former Charleston Naval Base in North Charleston. Executive Director…
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