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McMaster reaches agreement with Duke over Catawba water (AUDIO)

May 7, 2010 By

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and Duke Energy South Carolina President Catherine Heigel were on Lake Wylie today to announce an agreement over details of the company’s water certification. Duke has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a 50-year extension of its permit for two nuclear energy facilities that use water from the Catawba River. Duke had to submit a plan to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control(DHEC). McMaster got involved in the process over his concerns over the water quality and quantity downstream from the facilities, asking DHEC to turn down the Duke application.

McMaster says Duke has settled all of his concerns, and will agree to a continuous flow of water over the Lake Wylie damn.  He says Duke also agreed to oxygenate the water, which will improve water quality downstream.

(McMaster on Duke agreement  MP3  2:56)
McMaster Duke speech

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Energy, News

Barrett takes issue with Clyburn’s stance on drilling

May 7, 2010 By

Congressman Gresham Barrett is taking issue with fellow Congressman Jim Clyburn’s concerns over the Gulf oil leak. Clyburn says “I believe the oil spill in the Gulf Coast is a wake-up call. South Carolina’s number one industry is tourism, and if we succumb to the lure of offshore drilling, our coastline could see the same scenario play out here.”

Clyburn’s position does not reflect the White House view, but Barrett, who is running for governor, says he wants the entire Congressional delegation to be on the same side:

It is a wake up call. It’s a wake-up call to say that that we need to find alternative sources of energy. But until we do that, we need to make sure we use every tool in the toolbox and one of those alternatives is natural gas. It’s clean and it’s a way that South Carolina to affect not only its own economy, but the national economy.

Clyburn says we need to focus attention and investments on alternative energy: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, Energy, News, Politics & Government

Piccolo Spoleto Festival ready for 32nd season

May 7, 2010 By

The official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo Spoleto, is ready for its 32nd season to start up. Charleston-based Piccolo Spoleto offers many different varieties of art and cultural programs for its 32nd year. Some of those include: a Spotlight Concert Series with American Masterpieces, the Charleston Chamber Opera’s show “Amore,” a “Silent Devotion” with the music from the Holocaust, a Children’s Festival, Spoleto Beach Music Bash, and much more.

This year, Piccolo is opening a new box office system – one at the Charleston Visitor Center, and the other at the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, where tickets are available purchase. Mayor Joe Riley says the Piccolo Festival presents a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors and he says Charleston is very fortunate to be the center for international arts for 17 straight days. The festival will run from May 28 to June 13.

Filed Under: News, Recreation & Entertainment

Williamsburg County woman pleads guilty to tax fraud

May 7, 2010 By

A 46 year old Williamsburg County woman pled guilty in federal court in Columbia Thursday of tax fraud.  Salters, South Carolina resident Jerlene McKnight admitted that she prepared false W-2 forms which she sold to individuals so they could file income tax returns and obtain funds. The bogus W-2 forms were in the name of two fictitious businesses. Most of the taxpayers took the fake W-2 forms to tax preparer Vincenia Brockington who has already been convicted of tax fraud. McKnight sold at least 35 false W-2 forms which were used to justify tax refunds, resulting in losses of $130,000 to the federal government. McKnight faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine. She will also face an order to pay restitution.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Welcome to the Hell Hole Swamp Festival (AUDIO)

May 7, 2010 By

Hell Hole Festival Parade

The Hell Hole Swamp Festival is taking place this Friday and Saturday (May 7 ,8) in Jamestown, South Carolina, a little town near Pickens in the Upstate.

Now in its 39th year, Jamestown Administrator Chris Pipkin says the Hell Hole Swamp Festival is working to maintain its traditional image of beauty pageants, cook-offs, a parade and talent show, even arm wrestling and… the children’s spitting contest. Spitting contest?

You know, it used to be a tobacco spittin’ contest. Adults used to do it. And, usually our politicians used to be the winners of it. But, it kind of dwindled down, because tobacco’s nasty.

Pipkin says the children use chocolate, instead of tobacco …”because tobacco’s nasty.”

The festival is largely a fundraiser for community programs and projects, one being the maintenance of a monument that memorializes local men who were killed in Iraq.

So aren’t we all just a little bit curious as to where the name for “Hell Hole Swamp” came from? Pipkin has heard a few stories, but the one she likes best is that Francis Marion named it when he came through during the Revolutionary War.

History says that when Francis Marion was coming through, he was here and said, “Boy this is a hell of a hole.”  But, he didn’t say “boy,” though.

The festival will offer rides, games, arts and crafts exhibits, food concessions, music and much more, concluding with fireworks at dusk.

Now about the beauty pageant, “Miss Hell Hole Swamp Festival Beauty Queen.” Hmmm. I guess when it comes to beauty pageant resumes, a win’s a win.

(Listen to Susan’s report, mp3 :55)  Listen to Susan’s report mp3 :55

Filed Under: Human Interest, News, Recreation & Entertainment
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