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I-385 repairs to begin January 4

December 31, 2009 by

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will begin an eight-month project to repair and widen a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 385 starting just past midnight on Monday, January 4.

The project consists of milling some of the existing asphalt interstate and replacing it with approximately 10 inches of high-strength concrete.

An average of 8,000 cars a day that normally pass through Laurens County will have to use another northbound route, according to the transportation department. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, News, Transportation

McMaster, 12 state attorneys general threaten lawsuit

December 31, 2009 by

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and 12 other state attorneys general sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid threatening legal action over a health care bill provision which would exempt Nebraska from paying its regular share of the proposed Medicaid expansion.

The provisions has been called the “cornhusker kickback.” This is what Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson had to say about it.  “It’s not a gift to Nebraska,” says Senator Nelson.  “I take exception to that.  It’s not a bribe as some have said.  There were two things that were required in the vote.  One was the abortion language, that I was satisfied with, and the second was that there was no public option in the plan.”

In response, McMaster says, “Well it certainly looks like it.  From what we gather from every report it is a gift to Nebraska.  The Governor out there has come out against it, as has the other senator.  And I understand many of the citizens out there have come out against it.  They don’t want an advantage over other states, for other states to be paying their share of the Medicaid expansion.”  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News, Politics & Government

Rep. Rutherford recommends raising speed limit

December 31, 2009 by

Richland County’s Representative Todd Rutherford says law enforcement spends too much time trying to enforce a speed limit law that he calls “artificial”. Rutherford says law enforcement could better spend their time on more important safety issues, therefore, he has filed a request that the speed limit in designated areas be raised from 70 to 80 mph.

Rep. Todd Rutherford

“On SC highways, with the exception of those that are under construction, the average speed driven on every single one of those highways is greater than the 70 mph speed limit that is currently set.” Rutherford said. “So, we need to seek to get rid of the contempt for law enforcement that goes along with artificially low speed limits. This bill will make sure that people are traveling at speeds at which they feel comfortable and not simply driving and looking down at their speedometer and worrying about getting a speeding ticket.”

Rutherford says he’s been getting varied opinions and feedback from constituents. “It’s been mixed. People feel like if you raise the speed limit that people are just going to drive faster. That doesn’t bear out in the facts. There was a study done several years ago on the Audobon with no speed limit at all. The average speed was still 79 mph, “says Rutherford. He added, “People drive the speed with which they feel comfortable.”

Rutherford says that other states already have an 80 mile per hour speed limit. “I get a lot of e-mail from people out-of-state applauding the efforts. States like Texas already have an 80 mph speed limit and Colorado’s speed limit is 75.” In regards to the purpose of the bill, he said, “It seeks to bring some common sense to our speed limit laws.”

Rutherford says that the contempt for law enforcement is the bigger issue. “I believe that at the end of the day it will allow our law enforcement to focus on those issues that I believe they should be focused on: things like wreckless driving and DUI’s, rather than just trying to catch speeders.”

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Transportation

Chamber partners with Drug Council to reduce workplace drug use

December 31, 2009 by

The Council on Alcohol and Drugs is partnering with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce to increase the number of drug-free workplaces in South Carolina. State certified drug-free workplaces will receive a state-mandated five percent discount on workers’ compensation insurance premiums. In addition, South Carolina Chamber members receive a $25 discount on the Drug Council’s $150 membership fee.

Council on Alcohol and Drugs Coordinator for South Carolina Shelly Davis says a drug-free program increases productivity.  “When you set up a drug-free program, you have a policy that your employees have to adhere to,” says Davis.  “You have drug testing, and you have education for the employees and supervisors.  And you have an employee assistance program, so that if they turn up positive on a test, there’s a way for them to get help.”

The Council on Alcohol and Drugs is a 40-year-old national organization which has assisted more than 9,700 companies in 12 states in achieving certification as drug-free workplaces. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, News, Uncategorized

DHEC: Overwhelming evidence connecting radon and cancer

December 31, 2009 by

Americans have long been aware of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer. The second leading cause of lung cancer can be found in their own homes and is harder to detect.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to educate South Carolinians on the potential danger of radon. Radon is an invisible gas that naturally exists in the environment. However, when it’s accumulated, radon exposure can have serious side effects, including the increased risk of lung cancer. Usually such levels often occur when radons become trapped in basements.

Sandra Flemming of DHEC says there has never before been such overwhelming evidence of the link between radon exposure and cancer. As a result, DHEC and the EPA are educating the public on the need to inspect residences,

Flemming says test kits are usually available at hardware stores and DHEC offers free test kits as well. DHEC’s website has more information.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News, Politics & Government
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