May 21, 2012

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SC House votes to allow concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol

March 28, 2012 By

South Carolinians may soon be able to carry a gun into restaurants that serve alcohol.

Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Laurens) has pushed for the change for several years (File)

The state House of Representatives Wednesday passed legislation by an 83-7 vote that would allow a person with a concealed weapons permit (CWP) to bring their gun inside any restaurant with the business’s permission. Right now, state law does not allow weapons in a restaurant that serves alcohol.

“Currently you can’t go into an Applebee’s or a place like that if you have a concealed weapons permit,” Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Laurens) said. “You have to remove your firearm before you go in, sit down, and have a dinner.”

There are some restrictions in the law. It would be up to the individual business to decide whether or not to allow guns on its property. You also could not drink alcohol while carrying a concealed weapon. A person who violates these sections faces a $2,000 penalty and up to two years in jail.

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Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, Human Interest, News

Spartanburg church subdues gunman

March 26, 2012 By

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies say a shotgun-toting man kicked in a church door Sunday, but was quickly disarmed by parishioners who saw him coming. The incident happened during Sunday services at the Southside Freewill Baptist Church in Boiling Springs. Deputies charged 38-year-old Jesse Gates with burglary, disturbing a place of worship, and attempted kidnapping.

As he was walked out by deputies Sunday, Gates told reporters he didn’t point the gun at anyone, he just wanted help in seeing his children who had been taken away

“Because I went there on time and they wouldn’t help. I’ve been praying, begging, I’ve been to the judges, been to laywers. I’ve called lawyers and they won’t let me see my children. ”
 
Gates has a criminal history that includes numerous convictions for burglary, grand larceny and forgery. He is a convicted felon and prohibited from having a gun or ammunition.

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Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, Human Interest, News

Folly Beach passes anti-discrimination law

March 15, 2012 By

The Folly Beach City Council has approved a new ordinance outlawing discrimination based on someone’s sexual orientation. This makes Folly Beach the third municipality in South Carolina to pass a sexual orientation anti-discrimination law, after Charleston and Columbia.
 
According to the Post and Courier newspaper, the new ordinance only covers accommodations, which includes hotels, motels, restaurants, stores, and most other businesses on the island. It does not include housing, as the Columbia and Charleston laws do.

It is already illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, familial status or disability. Violators can face a $500 fine or 30 days in jail.

SC Equality and the Alliance for Full Acceptance told the newspaper they are pleased with the new law in Folly Beach, and hope other municipalities follow suit.

Sheree Bernardi of Charleston affiliate WTMA contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News, Politics & Government

SC Honor Flight program gets boost from electric co-ops (AUDIO)

March 12, 2012 By

More South Carolina World War II veterans will have the opportunity to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC thanks to the generosity of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina. The next flight will be in the spring on April 11. In a recent interview with Anne Eller of Greenwood affiliate WLMA, Chairman and President of Honor Flight South Carolina Bill Dukes said the financial support by the Electric Cooperatives of SC was an answer to a prayer.

Dukes works to provide veterans with a chance to see war memorials in Washington, D.C.

Dukes said because of the added publicity provided by the efforts of these rural utilities, the number of World War II veterans wanting to make the trip has swelled. He adds that accommodations are now being made for the veterans to be involved with flights that are planned in areas around the state.

That includes a trip that is now being sponsored by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of South Carolina.

Honor Flight South Carolina was founded in 2008. Dukes says with the continued support of organizations, businesses and individuals the program has a simple goal of making sure that all World War II veterans in South Carolina who want to make the trip to Washington, D.C. to see the monument that commemorates their sacrifices will have the opportunity. The flights are free to the veterans. Dukes said the program has persons who volunteer as guardians that accompany the veterans on the trip. Dukes says the sponsorships allows them to recruit more volunteers.

AUDIO: Dukes says corporate support is a godsend (1:25)

Anne Eller , WLMA Greenwood  contributed to the story.

 

Filed Under: Human Interest, Military, News

Thousands of shoes used to make statement at Statehouse

March 7, 2012 By

Thousands of shoes covered the Statehouse steps on Wednesday.

More than a thousand empty pairs of shoes covered the Statehouse steps on Wednesday, getting attention from passers-by, and meant to capture the attention of legislators considering next years budget. 

The Arc of South Carolina, a non-profit advocacy for developmental disabilities, was one of the groups sponsoring the demonstration.

“(It’s) to represent the thousands of people that legislators have helped and the thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities that don’t have services and are on wait list,” says Melinda Moore of the Arc of South Carolina. “I think when you see the shoes you kind of get an idea of how many people are on wait lists.”

Moore says the shoes were all donated by people in communities around the state, and after the event will all be donated to those in need.

“Once the event is done, we are going to package these shoes up, and we have a U-Haul here, and we are going to drive them down to Roanoke, Alabama, where Soles4Souls is,” says Moore. “Soles4Souls was a great collaboration because they also employ adults with developmental disabilities. They’re going to take these shoes, clean up the ones that are dirty, clean them up, fix them, and then give them back out to the community free of charge.”

Wednesday, disabled citizens and their advocates visited with lawmakers to ask for program funding the week before the budget hits the House floor.

South Carolina Radio Network’s Tripp Girardeau contributed to this article.

Filed Under: Human Interest, Legislature, News
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