The Times and Democrat on the possible sale of Santee Cooper to a private utility
The Lake Marion Regional Water System continues to grow as a reliable source of water in rural areas looking to improve quality of life and expand development opportunities.
Most recently, the water system received a $10 million grant to further expand its services to rural areas in and around The T&D; Region.
Since the Lake Marion water plant was completed more than a decade ago, the list of towns being served has grown and that expansion is to continue.
But there is concern.
A key player in the water project is the South Carolina Public Service Authority, better known as Santee Cooper, one of the nation’s largest publicly owned utilities. The owner of the manmade lakes Marion and Moultrie, Santee Cooper was created more than a half-century ago to bring growth and development to rural counties by supplying electricity. Water was and is a logical extension of the mission.
CCSD opens registration for School Choice and early-education programs
VIDEO: CCSD opens registration for School Choice and early-education programs By Riley Bean | January 26, 2021 at 6:36 AM EST - Updated January 26 at 7:13 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston County School District says they will start accepting applications for their early-education offerings.
CCSD says registration for Choice Schools, Child Development (Pre-Kindergarten), Head Start, and Early Head Start programs for the 2021-2022 school year will begin Tuesday.
Officials say the window for School Choice will close at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26. No closing date has been mentioned for the other programs.
“Each school-aged child in Charleston County is assigned to a neighborhood school based on grade level and home address. In addition to neighborhood schools, CCSD offers specialized programs, magnets, and charter schools to which students can apply,” CCSD said in a statement.
Communication gap hinders unemployment benefits
VIDEO: Communication gap hinders unemployment benefits By Nick Reagan | January 21, 2021 at 3:06 PM EST - Updated January 21 at 7:52 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Communication problems are leaving people applying for unemployment benefits waiting in line with more questions than answers.
Menyania Grant lives in Charleston and has worked in the kitchens for the Charleston County School District for eight years before the coronavirus forced her to leave her position when she got pregnant.
She began to receive unemployment benefits before they stopped in October.
“Ever since October 22, I have been calling and calling and calling to see what was wrong with my payments,” Grant said. “Every time I call, I’ve been placed on hold and no one ever comes back. I have been hung up on. They say they’ll send it our supervisor.”
Opponents worry bill could expand private influence over SC public schools
VIDEO: Opponents worry bill could expand private influence over SC public schools By Kaitlin Stansell | January 21, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST - Updated January 21 at 9:24 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Some state lawmakers are pushing to expand schools of choice in South Carolina under a new designation called âschools of innovation.â
Schools of innovation are funded and run through partnerships with public school districts and private companies or contributors. However, some opponents worry these efforts will hurt students in public schools that are already struggling for more resources.
Many supporters of this expansion of public and private partnerships for schools look to Charleston County School Districtâs Meeting Street schools as shining examples.
MUSC pediatrician: âKids need to be in school, and itâs safeâ
VIDEO: MUSC pediatrician: âKids need to be in school, and itâs safeâ By Live 5 Web Staff | January 19, 2021 at 6:39 PM EST - Updated January 20 at 12:33 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - New research data by the Medical University of South Carolina shows thereâs been no surge in COVID-19 cases in public schools in Charleston County following the return of in-person classes.
According to Dr. Allison Eckard with MUSC Childrenâs Health, only 1% of students and staff at Charleston County schools tested positive for the virus between the start of in-person school on Sept. 8 and winter break which started on Dec. 18.