February 10, 2012

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Panel: Keep traffic cameras illegal

January 27, 2012 By

The South Carolina Traffic Enforcement Commission has recommended that the state continue its ban on using cameras to catch speeders. Lawmakers created the commission and banned the cameras after Ridgeland police began using them to catch speeders on Interstate 95.

The law bans using cameras to issue speeding tickets based on photographic evidence.

The Beaufort Gazette reports the commission made its recommendation to continue the ban earlier this month. The commission report says the state does not have enough judges to handle all of the cases that would be created if local governments began using the cameras.

The commission says only the state Department of Public Safety should ever be allowed to use the cameras.

The panel consisted of several legislators, Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, and several representatives from the South Carolina Sheriffs Association and other law enforcement groups.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, Legislature, News, Politics & Government, Transportation

SC House blocks DHEC dredging permit for Georgia (AUDIO)

January 25, 2012 By
Today South Carolina House lawmakers voted unanimously (111-0) to stop the impending dredging of 36 miles of the Savannah River. The measure suspends the authority of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for all decisions after 2007 that apply to state’s  part of the Savannah River.

Review bill H. 4627

Gov. Nikki Haley has defended the decision by the DHEC board to allow Georgia to dredge the river in order to improve its port in Savannah. She asserts that the Port of Charleston will still be deeper and offer more to larger ships coming from the Panama Canal.

 House leaders say the decision first must go to the state’s Savannah River Maritime Commission, which is charged with oversight of   “navigability, depth, dredging, sludge disposal and other collateral issues in regard to the Savannah River.”  Charleston Republican Jim Merrill serves on that commission, which is mainly made up of legislative appointees. 

AUDIO: Merrill says the dredging plan had plenty of opposition.

AUDIO: Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) says this is an environmental issue that needs another look.

 House Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) issued a statement in support of this measure:  “Based solely on the merits of this case, DHEC was correct to deny this permit.  But given the Board’s sudden reversal, the intentional bypassing of the Maritime Commission and state law, the irrefutable environmental damage and the uncompetitive disadvantage to our ports; this was a terrible decision by the DHEC Board.”

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government, Transportation

One dead after collision on I-385 in Greenville County

January 24, 2012 By

Traffic is moving slowly on Interstate 385 north near mile marker 31 after the highway was blocked when a pickup truck ran into the back of a tanker truck around 9 a.m.

Authorities say the driver of the pickup truck was killed at the scene, but no one else was injured. The driver’s name has not yet been released.

Troopers say the tanker was hauling methanol, but there was no leak to worry about. A Highway Patrol spokesman said a tow truck removed the tanker around 11 am.

Troopers say they are still investigating who was at fault for the accident, but they say it was extremely foggy during the time of the crash.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, Featured, News, Transportation

Patriots Point Museum closed this week for ship’s return

January 23, 2012 By

The historic World War II destroyer U.S.S. Laffey is getting ready for its return to Patriot’s Point Museum in Mount Pleasant this week.

U.S.S. Laffey (File)

As a result, the museum is closed to the public until the weekend, although the Laffey’s return will depend on the tides and weather of Charleston harbor.

The ship has been berthed in North Charleston for the past two years as it underwent badly-needed repairs. In order to tow the Laffey back into position, crews will have to remove a pedestrian bridge that connects the shore with the museum’s docks. Since the public will be unable to access the museum’s ships without the bridge, there’s no reason to reason to keep Patriots Point open, officials say.

The Patriots Point Development Authority borrowed $9 million from the state to repair the ship in 2009 and has struggled to pay the loan back. It still owes approximately $8.7 million. It has until June 2013 to come up with a repayment plan, which director Mac Burdette says the museum is developing.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest, News, Transportation

Ludwig going to prison

January 13, 2012 By

A Greenville businessman who achieved notoriety after crashing his Maserati into a house three years ago, is headed to prison after violating his probation.

A judge revoked John Ludwig’s probation Friday and sentenced him to serve three years in prison. Ludwig was charged with domestic violence against his wife in November.

His attorney argued that Ludwig and his wife were having an argument about finances and that it was not a violent encounter.

Ludwig had previously been found guilty of reckless homicide in 2009 after he lost control of his car while speeding and crashed into a house, killing 62-year-old Bill Bardsley inside. Investigators said Ludwig had been driving 85 miles per hour at the time.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, Crime & Courts, Featured, News, Transportation
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