Local
Governor, Senator, Friend – Ernest ‘Fritz’ Hollings Dies at 97
By Barney Blakeney Ernest F. Hollings has been described as an extremely intelligent man outstanding in both mental and physical stature, a man who made mistakes, but was wise enough to admit and amend them. At a time when Black political power first began to emerge in the 20th century, Hollings was among the gatekeepers…
Read MoreCory Booker Energizes Burke High
By Professor Damon L. Fordham, MA New Jersey Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Cory Booker made a campaign stop in Charleston on March 2, 2019. He visited Mother Emanuel AME, Burke High School, and later attended an oyster roast in Summerville. Sen. Booker held a brief private meeting in Burke High’s Media Center prior to…
Read MoreLiberating Lives: A Safe Space For Formerly Incarcerated Women
By Damion Smalls “Every person deserves a second chance in life,” says Cassy Moore, the founder of Charleston nonprofit Liberating Lives. Launched in June 2016, Moore has drawn from her experiences in the criminal justice system to disperse knowledge and strength to formerly incarcerated women. “The Lord gave me a vision,” she states. As…
Read MorePrecedent-Setting Charleston Lawman Fred Stroble Dies At 80
By Barney Blakeney Veteran Charleston lawman, retired U.S. Marshal and former Charleston police and Charleston County detective Fred Stroble died February 2. He was 80. Stroble, who grew up on North Nassau Street in the upper-peninsula community of Charleston’s Eastside, was the youngest of seven children born to the late Reverend Marion and Ruth Stroble. He…
Read MoreSeven Charleston Area Voices Strengthen Community Dedication To Local Criminal Justice Improvement
The Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) has announced community representatives for the 2019-2021 term following the open call for applications. Community representatives are a key part of the CJCC’s efforts to improve public safety and community well-being. Each selectee represents a segment of the Charleston County population with unique interests and concerns. The…
Read MoreOfficials Trade $1,000 Rebate For Lower Utility Bills In SCANA Fiasco
By Barney Blakeney Last month the S.C. Public Service Commission approved the sale of SCANA Corporation (SCE&G) to Virgina-based Dominion Energy in a move that some hope will quiet the raging storm of contention unleashed in 2017 when the utilities company announced it would abandon construction of nuclear plants in Fairfield County. Left with the…
Read MoreEducation Likely The Hot Topic For 2019 Legislative Session
By Barney Blakeney After a 2018 S.C. State legislative session that left much undone, some local legislators say the upcoming 2019 legislative session promises more. The SCANA/Santee-Cooper abandoned nuclear plant construction debacle took most of the time legislators gave to the business of the state in the 2018 session, said House Dist. 116 Rep. Robert…
Read MoreLowcountry Students for Political Action to Hold Gun Reform Rally at State House
Lowcountry Students for Political Action have announced a demonstration in support of Senate Bill 154 at the South Carolina State House January 31 at 11AM. Students and activists from across the state will gather in Columbia to demand that members of the Senate Judiciary Committee vote to move bill 154 to the Senate floor. Bill 154,…
Read MoreSC State Rep. JA Moore’s Legislative Agenda for 2019
By South Carolina State Representative JA Moore, District 15 Less than a year ago, I was a restaurant general manager who decided to take the leap of faith and focus full-time as owner and chef of my catering company. That within itself was an arduous undertaking. Fast-forward a few weeks later after some soul-searching. I realized…
Read MoreLowcountry Food Bank Announces Food Distributions for Federal Employees Affected by the Partial Government Shutdown
The Lowcountry Food Bank, whose mission is to fight hunger in coastal South Carolina, announced yesterday that it will conduct food distributions for federal employees who are furloughed or who are working as essential employees but not getting currently paid and in need of food. The Food Bank has worked closely with the Federal Executive Association…
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