Uncategorized

SC Aquarium Offering Free Admission For Health Care Workers

In order to honor health care workers that have fought throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Carolina Aquarium has begun a “Healthcare Heroes Month”. Employees of Roper St. Francis, Trident Medical Center, East Cooper Medical Center, and MUSC will receive free admission from Aug. 17 – Sept. 13.

As a means of reserving your ticket, healthcare workers can call (843) 557-3474. Upon the arrival of your designated entry time, proof of employment must be provided at the admissions gate. Friends and family of healthcare workers do not apply for free entry. Those who do not can reserve a ticket here.

While SC continues to fight against Coronavirus, the South Carolina Aquarium will be working at limited capacity. Tickets must be purchased online (or via phone). Face masks are also required for all those entering the building ages 3 and up. Safety is a top priority at the Aquarium, as the staff wants to offer assurance to all guests. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the building, and elevator access is limited to one family at a time. For more specific guidelines, please visit the SC website.

Uncategorized

The State Will Offer Free Virtual Teaching Instruction To Teachers

The Department of Education in SC recently decided to extend to teachers a free virtual teaching training program. This allows teachers to focus on course material rather than struggle with online technology. The effective virtual instruction seminar is being offered to over 6,000 teachers in the SC area.

As the 2020-2021 school year begins, 1,700 teachers have already signed up for the course. It will remain to be offered throughout the school year. Funding for such a program comes directly from the federal CARES Act.

As for the content of the training seminar, teachers can expect to learn a range of topics. From planning instruction to the actual delivery, the course covers all things necessary for a smooth-running virtual classroom. Each live 90-minute session is available during the evening and weekend so that teachers have all opportunity to attend.

If you’re looking to attend, sign-ups are first-come, first-serve. Registration is open for the fall of 2020, and spring semester dates are still awaiting the announcement.

News

$6.3 Million Granted to SC and GA to Help Fight Veteran Homelessness

In an effort to combat Veteran homelessness, the Department of Veteran Affairs has offered a $6.3 million donation. This money is geared toward four non-profits whose main goal is to aid Veterans who are homeless. They take the form of grants for low-income Veteran families across SC and GA.

The pandemic of homeless Veterans has been a nationwide issue for several generations. This grant is hoping to quickly reduce the number of Veterans who are homeless, while also preventing any further from becoming homeless.

“This funding supports our continued efforts to work with the community to end Veteran homelessness, a top priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs and our hospital,” explained Charleston VAMC Director Scott Isaacks.

The program overseeing the project is the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). They operate to serve over 105,156 individuals, which includes 70,524 Veterans and 20,608 children across the nation. As a rule of thumb, the organization acts to aid Veterans with housing solutions, health care, community employment services, and other required supports.

For more information regarding the SSVF and their plans for the SC and GA grant, visit their website.

Uncategorized

MUSC To Begin Trials For Possible COVID-19 Antibody Treatment

The Medical University of South Carolina is welcoming volunteers to join their study in creating a COVID-19 antibody treatment. Their ideal test subjects are folks who have previously tested positive for Coronavirus, while not needing to be hospitalized. This SC study is solely available by the providers at MUSC.

As for details of the research itself, some participants will receive a supplement of SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies, while others will receive a placebo. Trial manager Amanda Cameron believes they won’t have any trouble finding volunteers for such a study. “Our previous COVID inpatient studies all enrolled much faster than anticipated because the spread has been so significant.”

As SC case numbers climb to over 91,788, it’s likely they’ll have a large pool of people to select from. The funding for the MUSC research comes directly from the federal government’s $450 million contract with Regeneron. If successful, the Food and Drug Administration has given the okay for its future treatment.

MUSC plans to carefully select their participants in order to achieve the most accurate results. The screening process will be quite selective as the search for a COVID-19 treatment continues.

Uncategorized

SC State Fair Will Be a “Drive-Thru” This Year

This year is “a year like no other,” as that’s the theme for the SC State Fair. Instead of your regular free-for-all fling, this year will commence as a drive-thru experience. The event beings Tuesday, October 20th and ends Wednesday, October 21st. The original fair will no longer take place.

The SC fair is known for being the largest event across the state, making it necessary to enforce social distancing and healthy safety precautions regarding COVID-19. Though there won’t be any rides, the free-to-enter event will be a twist on drive-thru restaurants. From the comfort of your car, fair-goers can purchase their favorite local bites. There will also be a drive-thru cattle exhibit.

It’s important to keep the fair going as a means of giving back to the local SC community. “Our fair industry has really been devastated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of (the fairs) have already been held or were supposed to already have been held and have been canceled. We’re all looking for a genius way to do things and they started with the food drive aspect,” said South Carolina State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith.

While things may look a little bit different, there will still be plenty of food, fun, and family time at this year’s beloved state fair. As for 2021, the team running the show hopes to return in full swing.

Uncategorized

Santee Cooper Extends Executive Contracts And Sponsors Golf Tournament Amid Financial Disaster

Featured Image: The State

As debt continues to pile up for Santee Cooper, lawmakers still remain halted at their decision for the future of the state-owned utility company. After lawmakers were forced to take a break earlier this year due to COVID-19, the utility’s fate will linger even longer.

With the decision to sell still on the table, Santee Cooper in an attempt to continue reform plans is spending more ratepayer money on extending high-paying contracts to executives and on golf tournament sponsorships.

The company recently announced that they will be extending contracts to Mark Bonsall, the CEO, and Charles Duckworth, the deputy CEO who were both brought on last year after former CEO, Lonnie Carter retired from the company when the utility’s debt began making headlines. Carter left with an initial payout and an annual retirement salary of $800,000 for 20 years, that Santee Cooper customers are still paying for.

Last year we reported that Bonsall was guaranteed $1.1 million over the next 18 months in addition to bonuses, exceeding Carter’s previous salary of $541,000, while Duckworth made a reported $560,000 annual salary. All of which the utility’s direct serve and electric cooperative customers pay for, and it doesn’t look like it’ll be changing anytime soon. The two will remain with the company until July 2021 and will continue to oversee all political and legal challenges. Bonsall and Duckworth will even have the opportunity to earn bonuses, pending their performance.

Lawmakers have been debating the future of the company for the past three years since it undertook $4 billion in debt from the failed V.C. Summer project. Because of this, Santee Cooper has been under scrutiny with where they spend their money since the company’s debt is nearly $7 billion, has no Public Service Commission Oversight and its ratepayers are the only ones responsible for past bad financial decisions. Many, therefore, are not happy that the state-owned company decided to sponsor the Heritage Golf Tournament for yet another year. The tournament which was played 2 months later due to the coronavirus pandemic and without fans, was a large investment. This large expenditure is seen as unnecessary by many and has resulted in another level of concern with taxpayers and ratepayers.

As customers are left holding the bill for the interim and Santee Cooper fails to acknowledge the long term burden on them, they also fail to stop spending large sums of money that will only add to the already existing and growing debt. For some, a sale of the public utility “dinosaur” cannot come soon enough.

Uncategorized

What To Do During Your Next Weekend Getaway To Hilton Head Island, SC

Summer trips aren’t entirely canceled this year. While you might not be able to book a getaway overseas, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel at all. Gear up for a road trip this summer and head to Hilton Head Island, SC. Your family trip or weekend getaway can still be packed full of adventure. Check out this list of activities for your next visit to Hilton Head.

Hit the Beach

It wouldn’t be a trip to Hilton Head without a relaxing day at the beach. Luckily, they’ve got many to choose from. Coligny Beach Park is a fan favorite and by far the most popular. With gorgeous sunsets and perfect weather for a day on the coast, you’ll be left wanting to extend your trip. For those seeking a bit more peace and quiet, Mitchelville Beach is sure to please. This northeastern end shore is a great remote relaxation spot.

Visit a Museum

Once you’ve got your taste of the sun, head to the Coastal Discovery Museum for free admission. This 68-acre museum offers culture and history your kids will love. Not only will families adore it, but travelers can enjoy the stunning oak trees and gardens as far as the eye can see. There’s something for everyone at this outdoor ecological preserve.

Have a Night in Harbour Town

For fun, shopping, and socializing, a night in Harbour Town is just the answer. The downtown Hilton Head district is filled with scenic views and delicious restaurants. You’ll feel like you’re inside a postcard! Meander down the streets post-dinner for a picturesque evening sunset along the water.

Go Golfing

The famous RBC Heritage PGA golf tournament takes place at the Harbour Town Link. Book a tee time for the same greens your favorite golfers competed on. Not only is Harbour Town a stunning spot, but there are 24 other private and public championship golf courses to choose from. Grab your visor and glove because it’s time to hit the greens!

Rent a Boat Tour

For an up-close and personal look into the elegant waterways, you’ll want to book a boat tour. See the beach from a new perspective while enjoying a nice sea breeze. Cast a line or enjoy a lunch on the boat. Either way, this is an experience you simply won’t want to miss.

News

Coronavirus Cases Skyrocket in SC

With the rush to reopen SC businesses, a peak in coronavirus cases has come in response. Many other states are seeing a flattening of cases during the early weeks of summer, but SC is reporting differently. The short 6-weeks of quarantine are likely the reason for this spike.

In a recent press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says “That today [she] is more concerned about COVID-19 in South Carolina than ever been before.” Her unease relates to the rising daily numbers since the beginning of the pandemic. Over 600 deaths have been reported in SC from coronavirus since it entered the U.S.

Will this information have an effect on businesses? If it were up to Governor Henry McMaster, things would remain likely the same. “We can’t stay closed forever,” says McMaster, though he urges residents to practice social responsibility. It seems staying healthy will likely be put on the shoulders of individuals.

For daily reporting of coronavirus numbers, visit Events as they happen on the World Health Organization site.