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Hilton Head Airport future in question

March 10, 2010 By

Reported by Claire Beverly, Adventure Radio Hilton Head

The future of the Hilton Head Island Airport remains in flux, after consultants on the Master Plan for Airport revealed to officials last night that the runway needs to be lengthened by 1100 feet or it will lose commercial airline service within 20 years. Island Packet reports that consultants say that due to changing FAA regulations and aircraft design, many commercial and private jets will not be able to use the runway. The airport does not make money off of small, general aviation planes. Many Town Officials, including Mayor Tom Peeples, oppose the idea because it cuts off Beach City Road and requires the removal of St. James Church. There will be two public comment meetings next coming up next week.

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News, Politics & Government, Transportation

SC House members briefed on budget cuts (Audio)

March 10, 2010 By

The Ways and Means Committee of the South Carolina House held a briefing Tuesday to give House members a look at the many cuts to the state’s budget they’ll debate next week. And it’s not pretty. The proposed cuts may eliminate close to 2,300 jobs, including temporary positions. Many remaining workers will be subject to furloughs.

Health and Human Services Subcommittee Chairman Tracy Edge of Horry County said that the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation will lose $600,000 in state funding, and since all of its funding is matched by federal funds, the impact will be even more severe.

Edge says the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs is losing $42.3 million in base funding, but will receive $12.5 million in reserve funds and retain $22 million more, for a net loss of more than $7 million.  Edge says those cuts alone may affect 1000 jobs.

Edge says the Department of Mental Health will cut some beds out of its remaining hospitals, and cut out 350 jobs. 

(Edge on state cuts  MP3  8:34)
Edge on state cuts

 

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Filed Under: Business, Economy, Legislature, News

Florence council decides on daytime curfew (Audio)

March 10, 2010 By

The city of Florence has approved a kind of curfew for youngsters–not a typical nighttime curfew but one during the day, to catch those who should be in school.

Florence City Council voted 4-3 for a new law affecting anyone aged 6 through 16. Between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days, they will be picked up by police and taken to school or home. If youngsters refuse the ride, authorities will issue their parents or guardian a citation. The second citation will carry a fine of $100.

Florence Mayor Stephen Wukela says it’s a way of keeping kids out of the court system.

Wukela says it’s a truancy issue, and there was a time when there were truant officers paid for by the school system who dealt with the problem, but not anymore. Wukela says the absence of truant officers funded through the education department is another example of state government shifting financial responsibilities to local governments.

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Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government
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