Local
Precedent-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…
Read MoreSouth Carolina Issuing February SNAP Benefits Early Due To Federal Government Shutdown
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) will be issuing February Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits early as a result of the federal government shutdown. SNAP recipients who received a benefit in January and are eligible for ongoing benefits in February will have their February benefits available on their EBT card January 17,…
Read More2018 Decline In Local Homicides May Be Tested In 2019
By Barney Blakeney Just as 2018 in Charleston County was ending with an apparent decline in the number of homicides committed compared to the previous year, a week-long spike in shootings and murders threatened that perception. The week prior to the Christmas holiday local authorities reported homicide numbers that insured a decline from the total…
Read More2018 Political Highlights Lackluster
By Barney Blakeney The political scene respective to the Black community in 2018 seemed somewhat lackluster in the City of Charleston and at the state level. Charleston City Councilman James Lewis said political highlights in Charleston included initiatives to develop affordable housing, but not much else. At the state level, representatives David Mack and Robert…
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