February 10, 2012

You are here: Home / 2009 / September / Archives for 29th

State panel: SC borrowing $16 million weekly to pay unemployment checks

September 29, 2009 By

The state of South Carolina for several months has been borrowing money for all of the unemployment checks it pays out. The borrowed amount was $16 million last week alone.

The Board of Economic Advisers conducted its third meeting with employment security Commission officials Tuesday, to discuss how to rebuild the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund and repay funds borrowed from the federal government’s pool of unemployment loans.

By the end of this year, the state of South Carolina will owe the federal government $750 million.

Currently the board is looking at a recommendation that would repay $1 billion in loans, beginning the first of 2011, using a reduction in the federal credit against the state unemployment tax paid by businesses. According to federal law, the state must pay the interest on the loan, which will amount to $350 million. At that rate, it will take the state until 2019 to pay off just the borrowed money. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Legislature, News

Anticipating arrival of swine flu vaccine

September 29, 2009 By

Early next week, the first swine flu vaccine should be in some doctors’ offices. The first batch of six to seven million doses will go directly to doctors, clinics, and other providers designated by each state.

 So who should get in line for the first batch? DHEC Spokesman Thom Berry says, “One of the things that we do know is that the first shipment of vaccine will be the flu mist nasal spray. Now that nasal spray contains a very weakened form of the live flu virus. So it’s going to be somewhat restricted as to who can take that, Primarily it ‘s going to be otherwise healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News, Uncategorized

Diaper company expanding into Marion County

September 29, 2009 By

Marion County is getting a desperately needed economic shot in the arm with Tuesday’s announcement that the Softee Supreme Diaper Corporation will expand and locate operations in the county that has a current unemployment rate over 20 percent. The $6 million dollar investment is expected to create 262 jobs over the next four years. The availability of an existing building in Mullins coupled with the availability of employable personnel were two of the main reasons the company chose Marion County for expansion. Marion County State Representative Jim Battle says the executives familiarity and connections with South Carolina were also factors. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

Student death involved swine flu

September 29, 2009 By

Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock announced the cause of death in the case of 11-year-old Ashlie Pipkin.

Bullock said that they received word from Newberry Pathology Associates this morning. “The Department of Health and Environmental Control and the CDC said that the cause of death of Ashley Pipkin was basically sepsis with bronchitis and acute pneumonia, and the underlying cause of all of the above was the H1 N1 Swine Flu.”

She died last week after her family says that she had flu-like symptoms and developed pneumonia.

More than 108 students were absent when Laurence Manning Academy reopened Monday after closing last Tuesday amid reports of influenza, strep throat and other respiratory illnesses.

Headmaster Spencer Jordan said that the majority of their absentees on Monday were from K-3 through fourth grade.  The school closed on Sept. 22 after more than 280 students failed to report for classes; one-sixth of the school’s staff was also absent. The administration closed the school to avoid spreading any illnesses further and to disinfect surfaces students might come in contact with.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News

VA welcoming home veterans and active military

September 29, 2009 By

The Veterans Affair Hospital in Charleston is hosting a “Welcome Home” event for veterans and active duty military to show their appreciation. Tonya Lobbestael is with the VA Hospital and says Wednesday’s event is to spotlight the nation’s heroes.

“Welcome Home is a health fair, job fair, we’re gonna have a kids zone. We’re gonna have basically a big party aboard the Yorktown, including free tours of the ship, for all veterans, all service members, and their families. And, it is our way, the VA’s way, of thanking them for their service” says Lobbestael.

Through the VA, each service member has health care benefits that Lobbestael says they want to make known.

“They have five years of eligibility for health care. And, here in Charleston that is especially important. We are number the two ranked VA across the country for the quality of our medical care. So, we want to reach out to these folks that are coming back, get a handle on any health issues they may have, and provide the services they need to readjust back into their normal lives,” says Lobbestael. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Military, News, Recreation & Entertainment Tagged With:
« Older Posts