February 10, 2012

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Operation Bitter Orange, new standard of drug enforcement

December 22, 2009 By

The two year drug enforcement effort, Operation Bitter Orange just wrapped up and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is calling it the best example of local and federal teamwork they have witnessed in years.

Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster says efforts like this are more effective with federal help and they can go after the assets of drug kingpins and that much of the assets are returned to local law enforcement.  “The great part about that is the federal government sends that back down to the local government who can use that much more today in times of budget cuts and across-the-board cuts that we’re getting every day.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Boeing expands, governor applauds

December 22, 2009 By

Governor Mark Sanford is applauding Boeing for its recent expansion in South Carolina. Italian aircraft maker Alenia North America has made Boeing its sole owner for its fuselage assembly facility. This announcement comes as construction begins for another 787 Dreamliner full production line next door to Alenia’s facility.

Governor Sanford says “What is important to remember is that Boeing’s decisive landing in South Carolina has not been a five month but indeed a five year story. This story began in 2005 with Italian aircraft maker Alenia joining Vought Aircraft in putting down roots in North Charleston. We’ve said repeatedly that this massive investment in South Carolina’s competitive future is transformational not only for the thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in investment – in fact, the largest announcement in state history – but also for the way it will spur on an already growing aerospace hub in our state.”

Filed Under: Business, News, Transportation

Holiday travel may be easier on SC interstates

December 22, 2009 By

Two South Carolina interstates will be a little easier to drive on for the holidays. Charleston’s main interstate, I-26 has been going through construction all this year. Due to the high influx of traffic expected throughout the holidays, that construction will be put on halt until next year. I-26 is expanding into eight lanes by April 2011. The Post and Courier reports a spokesman for the company working the $66 million project says construction work will start back up on the interstate on January 4 next year.

Another South Carolina interstate that connects with I-26, Interstate-95, has recently undergone repairs on a small section over Lake Marion in Clarendon County. Those repairs are now complete and travelers can now drive on all lanes of the interstate.

Filed Under: News, Transportation

Graham wants SC Attorney General to look at Nebraska deal

December 22, 2009 By

SC Attorney General Henry McMaster

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham wants South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster to investigate a deal that he says helped to get the final vote needed to pass the Democrat’s health care bill through the U.S. Senate. It was the 60th vote that headed off a Republican filibuster. Graham says Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson cut a deal and the federal government will end up paying Nebraska’s share of the cost for new Medicaid recipients.

Graham told CNN that the deal’s constitutionality is questionable.  “There’s one state in the Union where new Medicaid enrollees will be signed up and it won’t cost anybody in that state money,” he said.  “It’s not my state.  I’ve got 30 percent African American population–a lot of low-income African Americans on Medicaid.  I don’t know what the numbers are in Nebraska.” 

Graham says some Democratic Senators expressed concern over the deal as well as Republicans.

A McMaster spokesman says the Attorney General will talk with Graham about the issue.

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

SC new energy stakeholders react to Copenhagen agreement

December 22, 2009 By

Last week’s climate summit in Copenhagen has received mixed reviews. The meeting was praised by some U.S. Senators who said the negotiations resulted in China, India and some developing countries stepping forward and participating.

The agreement outlines a goal of providing funds to help poor countries cope with the impact of climate change and includes a method for verifying industrial nation’s reduction of carbon emissions.

Andrew Streit runs Sunstore Solar, which designs and installs photovoltaic panels for industry, businesses and homeowners. But even though his office is located in Greer, Streit says a lot of his sales are out of the state, in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Environment & Conservation, News