May 21, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for Michael Brown

Charleston looking for a new fire chief

December 14, 2011 By

Charleston has officially started its search for the city’s next fire chief–who will oversee 19 stations.

Charleston Fire Chief Thomas Carr will step down from his position on March 1 of next year due to his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Carr has served as the city’s chief since former chief Rusty Thomas retired in 2008 after a controversial Sofa Super Store fire investigation. Thomas and the city of Charleston were accused of not properly handling fire rules and regulations when nine firefighters died in the 2007 Charleston blaze.

The city has hired Oregon-based Consulting International to help in the search. The Charleston Post and Courier reports the city requires more than 10 year’s experience in the fire-fighting field–including supervisory and command positions. A Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, or Public Administration is also required–and a Master’s Degree is preferred.

The Charleston fire chief’s salary is between 120 and 135 thousand dollars.

Filed Under: News

ReVille victim sues Pinewood Prep school

December 13, 2011 By

A Lowcountry prep school is being sued by an alleged sexual abuse victim of Charleston-area teacher and coach Louis “Skip” ReVille.

The suit brought by Mt Pleasant firm Motley Rice and a local attorney is against Pinewood Preparatory School and a former headmaster. The suit alleges that from 2004 until ReVille left Pinewood Prep, ReVille subjected him to sexually abusive behaviors. It also alleges that the school and Glyn Cowlishaw breached their duty of care and committed gross negligence in the hiring, supervision and retention of ReVille as a teacher and coach. The filing also claims civil conspiracy. ReVille has identified the plaintiff as one of his victims to criminal investigators.

ReVille held multiple teaching, coaching and volunteer positions in the Charleston area. Those include: The Citadel, Coastal Christian Preparatory School, Bishop England High School, Moultrie Middle School, Rollings Middle School, Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department, Velocity Sports

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Charleston port deepening study continues

December 12, 2011 By

Port of Charleston

A number of Charleston business and maritime leaders are expected to attend a press conference on the Charleston harbor Tuesday that will discuss the status on the port’s deepening project.

The Port of Charleston’s deepening study is in the feasibility study phase. State Ports Authority spokesman Byron Miller says that means–

“What are the environmental costs and the environmental and economic gains associated with future Charleston deepening? What’s the right number? What’s the right depth and what kind of improvements need to be made with widening the channels,” says Miller.

Charleston completed its last harbor deepening project in 2004, so Miller says some of what they learned can help them determine how best to deepen the port.

“The Corps takes great care to study all of the environmental, engineering and economic issues associated with any project like this. So, it’s going to take some time to do those necessary studies. Hopefully it won’t take too long,” says Miller.

Miller says the port deepening will have an impact on the city’s transportation and job creation.

“To reduce transportation costs we need to deepen the Charleston harbor. Ships are getting bigger and this project needs to move forward. Two, to do it as swiftly as possible. The Panama Canal is being expanded. A new set of locks on the Atlantic and Pacific side will open here in the next three years,” says Miller.

The Panama Canal will expand in 2014, which is expected to bring in larger cargo ships into the Port of Charleston–if expanded.

As for funding, Miller says they are moving forward–

“We are not stuck on pause anymore. We are out of the gates. There is no issue with funding with the feasibility study at this time. We do need to be in the president’s next budget in FY 13 (Fiscal Year 2013), which will be released early next year, which we hope is the case. In the meantime, we have signed an agreement with the Corps that will allow the Port’s Authority to accelerate its share with the funding,” says Miller.

The deepening project would deepen the Charleston port from 47 to 50 feet.

Port officials will also hold a public workshop Tuesday night where they can learn more about the deepening project.

Filed Under: Business, News, Politics & Government

Florence library, museum awarded grant for virtual tour

December 12, 2011 By

The Florence County Library system has received a $37,000 grant to create a new virtual museum. The Florence library’s new virtual museum will include an online tour of objects from the nearby Florence Museum.

The Morning News of Florence reports the Library Services and Technology Act awarded the Florence County Library with the grant–that will also go to the Florence Museum and the Florence County Geographic Information Systems. The goal of the new virtual tour is to add to the library’s online digital catalog and create the museum’s first virtual tour.

The museum has been collecting distinct historical items since 1924.

Filed Under: Education, News

$50,000 reward for Charleston fire information

December 12, 2011 By

Since 2000, there have been more than 85 suspicious fires, according to city officials, who are now doubling the reward they are offering for information. Police believe the Charleston fires were started by arson. The city is now offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who can lead police in the right direction with any information on the fires. The suspected arson cases extend from the city of Charleston down through Highway 17 in Mt. Pleasant.

Last year, a $25,000 reward was offered for information, but that has now doubled. Charleston is paying $45,000 of the reward, while the South Carolina Insurance News Service is offering $5,000 of the reward. The city’s police chief, Greg Mullen, says he hopes the doubled reward will increase the chances of someone coming forward with information.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, News
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »