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House members already voted on legislation requiring special session

October 21, 2009 By

Lawmakers return to the Statehouse Tuesday for a special one-day session to consider a law change that will qualify jobless workers for an extended 20 weeks of federal unemployment benefits. Approximately 7,000 South Carolinians lost their benefits ten days ago when state benefits ended. Lt. Governor Andre Bauer says more than 100,000 residents have exhausted their benefits in recent months.

But the original legislation to correct the triggering mechanism and take advantage of the “federal money on the table” as Governor Sanford called it was introduced by Orangeburg Democrat Gilda Cobb-Hunter, during this past session. So why do lawmakers have to return to Columbia Tuesday, at taxpayer’s expense? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Lighthouse site: 150 years guiding travelers to SC

October 21, 2009 By

Historic photo of original lighthouse

Hunting Island State Park this past weekend began a celebration of 150 years of its lighthouse guiding people to the coast of South Carolina. State Park Manager Jeff Atkins explains, “It is the only lighthouse in South Carolina of historical value that is open to the public to be able to climb. You can actually visit it and climb to the top observation tower.”

More than 1.5 million people visit the park near Beaufort each year to see the lighthouse site that has served the military and industry for 150 years. It even guarded the coast during World War Two. Atkins says Friends of Hunting Island, schools and the Beaufort community have worked extremely hard to promote the history of the lighthouse, even creating a play performed in town. The distinctive beacon once was instrumental to the economy of the Southeastern coast.

“Charleston, of course, was one of the biggest ports in the nation (leading up to the US Civil War) and trade ships were frequently running back and forth from Barbados and the islands down in there and coming into port in Charleston, so lighthouses were of key importance during that time,” says Atkins.

The two-color lighthouse was repainted just in time for the 150 year celebration, which kicked off this weekend.

Filed Under: Business, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Governor tabs new Clerk of Court in Union

October 21, 2009 By

(special assistance provided by Daniel Prince, WBCU, Union)

At a news conference Wednesday in Union County Governor Mark Sanford announced that he has appointed a new Clerk of Court following the indictment of former officials.

Freddie Gault was assigned to the position. He previously worked as captain for the Union Public Safety Department, and replaces Brad Morris. Morris resigned October 9th at a time when SLED officials announced they were investigating his office books. The week before, Union County Supervisor Donnie Betenbaugh, former county tax assessor Willie Randall Jr. and former Sheriff Howard Wells were indicted on various federal charges.

Betenbaughand Randall were named in a 40-count indictment, charged with extortion, soliciting and accepting bribes, money laundering, structuring financial transactions to evade federal reporting requirements, and knowingly allowing the Tax Assessor’s Office to be used as a “stash house” for distribution of cocaine and pain killers. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News, Politics & Government

SC jobless rate still reflects very stagnant economy

October 21, 2009 By

South Carolina’s jobless rate edged up in September following a two-month drop. Unemployment was 11.6 percent in September, up from 11.4 percent in August, a revised figure. It topped 12.1 percent in June.

The Employment Security Commission says last month’s was the fifth highest in the US. the national rate was 9.8 percent in September. The state’s labor force continued to shrink, falling slightly to 2.17 million. The number of unemployed increased by 3,570 to 251,975. Commission Deputy Director Alan Larson says the state still has has 68,700 fewer jobs than one year ago.

Larson says he’s no economist but he believes the time has come for the picture to gradually get better.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Legislature, News

Episcopal Diocese of SC debates leaving national church

October 21, 2009 By

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina will be gathering in Mount Pleasant Saturday for a special convention. The diocese is made up of Episcopal churches in the eastern and southern part of the state. One of the resolutions to be voted on at the convention would authorize church leaders to begin withdrawing from the national church. Bishop Mark Lawrence says the national church has assented into actions contrary to Holy Scripture as well as the canons, doctrines and historical practices of the Church. Earlier this year, the national church authorized bishops to bless same-sex unions.Bishop Lawrence makes it clear that the Diocese has no plans to leave the church, but to create an atmosphere for healthy debate that will turn the trajectory of the national church back to its traditional teachings.

“The withdrawing is from certain bodies of the Episcopal Church that have gone contrary to Holy Scripture and to the mind of the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church has gone contrary to its own constitution and canons and we are challenging that.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest, News
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