South Carolina News and Sports
North Carolina begins enforcing a ban on text messaging while driving Tuesday. As for neighboring South Carolina, one legislator has filed a legislation to do the same thing. State Representative Bakari Sellers wants to ban cell phone use while driving.
“My goal is just to make the roads safer. I think we all deserve that and I think those who don’t, that’s pretty selfish on their part,” says Sellers. [Read more...]
Compiled by Matt Long, SCRN
If you plan to drive across the border into North Carolina, you might want to think twice before texting on your cell phone.
On Tuesday, North Carolina will begin enforcing a ban on text messaging while behind the wheel. A new law will go into effect that makes it illegal for drivers to send or read text messages while driving.
Violations could cost one hundred dollars in fines; however, the law only applies while the vehicle is moving, not while stopped or parked.
Police officers and other safety officials are exempt from the law. More than a dozen states already ban text messages while driving.
Bamberg County Representative Bakari Salters has filed legislation for next year that would ban texting by drivers in South Carolina.
President Barack Obama plans a Tuesday night speech from West Point, N.Y. At that time Obama is expected to announce an increase of up to 35,000 troops to the military personnel already deployed in Afghanistan. One supporter of the move to increase the troops in the war torn country is South Carolina Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham is a member of the Armed Services Committee. Appearing on “ABC News This Week” Sunday, Graham said the future of the country’s national security depends on getting it right in Afghanistan.”
“This is the place where the Taliban took control after the Russians left and aligned themselves with Al Qaeda and attack this nation and killed 3,000 Americans. I hope the President will tell the world, our troops and anybody listening Tuesday that will never happen again.” [Read more...]
A new housing market reports says the Lowcountry is leading South Carolina in recovery efforts from the recession. The South Carolina Housing Market Report, a University of South Carolina publication, shows the Lowcountry had one of the hardest hit housing markets during the recession, but now is leading in the state’s recovery efforts.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the Lowcountry has low unemployment compared to most of the state, and also high construction levels, up 61 percent year-to-date. Overall, the report shows South Carolina making a slow and steady recovery in the coming months, with the Charleston area leading the pack.
For the state, high unemployment numbers are expected to still trigger foreclosures leading to, what the report says, “increased housing inventory and further reduction in housing prices.” The South Carolina Association of Realtors and the Home Builders Association of South Carolina also assisted in the report.
President Obama plans an address to the American public Tuesday concerning the war in Afghanistan. He is expected to grant military leaders’ request of a troop increase.
Polls show support for the war has dropped significantly since Obama took office. A majority in some polls now say that they oppose the war and that it is not worth fighting.
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina told CNN he has been praying for the President.
“I applaud him for taking his time with this decision,” says Clyburn. “This is something he must be comfortable with, irrespective of what the polls may be saying. President Obama on Tuesday night will take possession of this conflict in Afghanistan and he must comfortable with the direction that it takes.” [Read more...]
