new in south carolina

Proposed New State Park Includes Access to Black River

A new state park is in the works!

The proposed park would cover areas in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties, providing public access to the Black River.

There is currently an initiative underway to create the Black River Water Trail, connecting various segments of land owned by both the state and private entities – an initiative that has sparked interest in making the area a state mark. While the park is still in the concept phase, the goal of the park would be to increase the amenities available to those who want to explore the area.

Executive Director of the Winyah River Alliance Tina Christensen is eager for the public to be able to use the land saying, “We see this initiative as a way that we’re going to be able to expand, for the people that live in the area, their ability to enjoy it, but also bring in tourism and allow there to be more recreating on the Black River.”

If the park is approved, it would be the first new state park to open in South Carolina in almost twenty years.

Officials are encouraging the public to share their thoughts on the project through in-person and virtual meetings as well as community surveys.

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NFL Linebacker Starting Foundation to Benefit His South Carolina Hometown

Darius Leonard, a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, recently announced the launch of his foundation, Maniac Foundation, which is set to benefit his hometown of Lake View, South Carolina.

The foundation will provide aid to families in need through educational programs and food assistance. Maniac Foundation will serve families in both Indianapolis, Indiana and Lake View, South Carolina – the two places that hold a special place in Leonard’s heart.

The Maniac Foundation’s mission is “dedicated to transforming communities through education, wellness, serving families in need and other charitable causes.”

Leonard said “there are three pillars we want to touch here, first helping families put food on the table, second pillar is getting kids more involved in schoolwork, we’re trying to start ‘Math for Maniacs’ and get kids to fall in love with schoolwork again.”

He started the foundation because he loves to give back and put a smile on other people’s faces. He hopes this is just the beginning of the foundation’s efforts to help people in South Carolina and Indiana.

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Famous Columbia Crawfish Festival Taking Place in May

Mark your calendars! The annual Rosewood Crawfish Festival will be returning this year on May 1st.

The festival, which had to cancel their 2020 event, will take place at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. It will be the first festival to take place in Columbia since the onset of the pandemic and will include a plethora of delicious crawfish, local vendors and live music.

On the decision to move forward with the festival, Dave Britt, one of the event’s promoters and event planners, said “I think that in order to find our way back in events someone’s got to do it, and start putting the model together….We just felt like with the pushing of the vaccine, the timing, it seems like we would probably be able to do it safely, and we just wanted to get some people back to Rosewood and get involved with events again.

To protect staff and patrons, the festival will require everyone to wear masks when they are not eating or drinking and will limit the number of people allowed in the venue.

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Greenville Approves $2.55 Million in Funds For Entertainment District

Greenville’s West End district has been approved to continue their extensive development projects to revitalize the area.

The project, “Jackson Way,” recently received $2.55 million in funds from the Greenville City Council to aid in making their concept come to life.

“Jackson Way” is being modeled after the Red Sox’s Fenway Park, the current affiliation of Greenville’s Minor League Baseball team – the Greenville Drive.

Fluor Field, the stadium that houses the Greenville Drive, will be the center of this elevated entertainment district with Field Street becoming a new public roadway and event area. Public restrooms will also be added to the West End district and will be accessible every day. A new apartment complex will also be added to the nearby area.

According to Greenville Mayor Knox White, the funds for this new development “were generated by economic development projects in downtown and in West End” in addition to the baseball stadium itself. White said the city is “using those funds to reinvest in the same neighborhood.”

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Statue Honoring Gamecock Basketball Star A’ja Wilson Erected in Columbia

On Monday January 18, 2021, a statue of Gamecock women’s basketball star A’ja Wilson was unveiled outside of the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.

A’ja Wilson, who grew up in Hopkins, South Carolina, had an outstanding career at the University of South Carolina, leading the Gamecocks to their first ever Final Four in 2015 and eventually clenching a NCAA title in 2017.

Wilson has gone on to play in the WNBA after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces.

The significance of the date the statue was unveiled cannot go unnoticed. The unveiling took place on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a date that Wilson herself felt was symbolic for many reasons.

“This is the day we recognize the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King [Jr.],” Wilson said. “My grandmother couldn’t even walk on this campus; she had to walk around [it]. If she was here today to see her granddaughter has a statue where she once could not walk … it goes to show how you just plant seeds, and that’s what it’s all about.”