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Panel of lawmakers consider broadband leases

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

When the FCC mandated the switch to digital broadcasting, it opened the door for South Carolina to own, or lease to private companies, the nation’s only public, statewide wireless internet system.The Joint Bond Review Board Subcommittee will hear testimony this afternoon(2:30) on the terms of a contract to lease all of the state’s educational broadband capacity to two private companies.

SCETV officials say ETV will still hold the licenses and as license-holders we still have responsibility for the regulatory requirements mandated by the FCC. Each state, by law, keeps five percent of the spectrum for public educational use.

Orangeburg representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter is on that four-member subcommittee, the only Democrat. She says the state will have control of up to 25 percent of the broadband spectrum. The question is what to do with the extra 20 percent of the spectrum.   [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Education, News, Politics & Government

Arrests made in Rock Hill Bleachery fires

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(Filed by SCRN affiliate WRHI in Rock Hill, see WRHI slide show of the fire)

Two men have been arrested and charged with setting the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing plant fires in early July. Rock Hill Police Chief John Gregory says they are 20-year-old Christopher Douglas Anderson and 17-year-old Matthew Christopher Wallace, both from Rock Hill.

Lieutenant Michael Belk says arson hotline tips led to the arrests.Wallace is a rising junior at Northwestern High School. Anderson, during the bond hearing described himself as homeless. Bonds were set at $125,000 each.

Chief Gregory says the charges are serious, “In connection with the July 3 fire, each was charged with second degree arson and criminal conspiracy. In connection with the July 10 fire, each has been charged with second degree arson, criminal conspiracy and assault with intent to kill. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

SC-based recycling company growing

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Hilex Poly, a South Carolina based company that recycles plastic bags, is located in Hartsville and as the company continues to grow, they expect to bring more jobs to the Palmetto State.

Hilex Poly operates the world’s largest closed loop recycling plant out of North Vernon , IN which allows them to partner with supermarkets, retailers and restaurants creating a better business model and, what the company hopes to be a cleaner environment. These businesses encourage their customer to bring their plastic bags back to the store where Hilex Poly collects them and recycles them. General Manager Mark Daniel says the industry is moving towards using even more recycled goods. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News

SC Medical Association gives thumbs down to health care plan

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The American Medical Association has come out in favor of President Obama’s new healthcare reform bill.  But the South Carolina Medical Association has a very different opinion.

SCMA President-elect Gregory Tarasidis(tar-ra-SEE-dis) says the plan would basically fade out the existence of private health insurance companies by 2013. 

“We’re extremely concerned,” said Tarasidis, “that we’re going to be in a situation where the federal government and a Medicare Advisory Committee will perhaps be dictating to us whether we should be prescribing the red pill or the blue pill and whatever we should be doing.”   [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, News

Michelin to devote workers to needy schools

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dick Riley, Dick Wilkerson and Dr. Jim Rex

The Michelin Man is reaching out to public elementary schools in South Carolina.The Greenville-based tire company rolled out its “Michellin Challenge Education” program, which will provide assistance to 8 public elementary schools in South Carolina. The schools are located in areas with Michelin plants nearby. Several of these include low-income schools receiving Title One funds. Research shows kids who are held back in elementary school grades, are more likely to drop out of school later in life. South Carolina has one of the nation’s highest dropout rates in the country. Michelin employs 8,000 people in South Carolina.

Herb Johnson, Director of Community relations, Michelin, North America says, “It could be anything from tutoring to mentoring. It could be coming in and reading to a first or a second grade class.

As a corporation we feel that early childhood education is critical. Every child needs to be exposed to quality, pre-school education.”

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex says Michelin is setting a good example for corporate involvement in public education. Rex says the company has an “exceptional source of highly qualified and knowledgeable professionals.”

Last month, Michelin offered $1 million in low-interest loans starting at $10,000  for disadvantaged small businesses

Filed Under: Business, Education, Human Interest, News
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