Charleston Currents

Good news

FOCUS: Time is now to vote for new Rescue Brew Beer winners

More than 670 dogs and cats wait for your votes to be spokesdog and spokescat for the Charleston Animal Society in its contest to put faces on labels of 2021 Rescue Brew Beer. If this year’s competition is like last year’s, picking the three finalist dogs and three finalist cats will be fierce, organizers say.

Voting continues through Sept. 17. Each $1 vote cast at CharlestonAnimalSociety.org supports the lifesaving programs of the Charleston Animal Society, including No Kill South Carolina 2024. From the three finalists in each category, one dog and one cat will be selected for grand prizes by celebrity judges to appear on the labels and will be announced Oct. 16.

by Charleston Currents · 08/30/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

NEWS BRIEFS: GOP leaders ignoring pressure for special pandemic session

Staff reports | Lawmakers are feeling pressure to hold an emergency session to revise a law that prohibits mask mandates in schools as COVID-19 gets deadlier in the Palmetto State but GOP leaders so far are mum about returning to Columbia. More than 10,400 South Carolinians have died in the coronavirus pandemic with thousands of new cases reported daily as the delta variant rages.

by Charleston Currents · 08/30/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

Ann Caldwell belts out a tune during The Sound of Charleston. Photo provided.

FOCUS: The Sound of Charleston resumes shows after hiatus

Staff reports | The Sound of Charleston, the region’s longest-running musical production, will resume weekly shows at Circular Congregational Church at 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

With more than 500 concerts since 2010, the show highlights the Lowcountry’s rich musical history from gospel spirituals and jazz to the music of George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” and light classics of the venerable St. Cecilia Society. During December’s six Holiday Editions, music of the season is added to the show.

After almost a year and a half with no shows, producer Bill Perry said he was excited but nervous about shows in the months ahead: “Nervous about whether audiences will return to indoor venues and whether we can ensure safety of our audiences and cast members.”

by Charleston Currents · 08/23/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

NEWS BRIEFS: Study highlights the language of vaccination

Staff reports | A national study highlights tested ways to communicate effectively with groups of Americans who tend to be more hesitant to be vaccinated against COVID-19 — younger women, younger African Americans, rural residents and younger Republicans.

by Charleston Currents · 08/23/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS: State animal shelters declare state of emergency

Staff reports | Pet shelters across the state are swamped with thousands of homeless animals leading them to declare a state of emergency and a rescue program that will run through August 22.

“Nearly every shelter in the state, including the largest shelters [Greenville County Animal Care, Charleston Animal Society, Horry County Animal Care Center and Columbia Animal Services] are at the breaking point and need help now,” said No Kill South Carolina 2024 Chief Project Officer Abigail Appleton in a statement. “These lifesaving organizations are critically overcapacity and there’s no sign of it letting up, especially as the pandemic is surging again and folks are not getting out as much as they did earlier this summer.”

Locally, the Charleston Animal Society said it had more than triple the number of animals it has the room to house at its shelter in North Charleston, caring for over 700 animals despite only having the space for about 230.

by Charleston Currents · 08/16/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

NEWS BRIEFS: On Medicaid expansion, federal funds and port traffic

There is strong support to expand the federal Medicaid program in the Palmetto State across party lines with nearly eight in 10 South Carolina voters ages 50 and older registering their support, according to a new study by AARP.

by Charleston Currents · 08/16/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

Kara Stewart, executive director of Tricounty Family Ministries, with volunteer Louise Carpenter, right. Photo provided.

FOCUS: James Island woman, 95, honored for years of service

By Eric Johnson, special to Charleston Currents | Louise Carpenter has volunteered at Tricounty Family Ministries three days a week for 12 years, paying for a ride each day, even throughout the pandemic. For her 95th birthday, the James Island resident was surprised Aug. 4 by friends and family, along with North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey and a representative from U.S. Sen. Tim Scott’s office.

Carpenter has been a mainstay for a dozen years for the North Charleston nonprofit, feeding and providing services to homeless members of the community. Tricounty Family Ministries offers meals, clothing, job training, wellness checks, legal help and housing assistance.

”It is better to give than receive and not everyone lives by that,” Summey said.. He continued, saying the 95-year-old has set a foundation for generations that follow. A flag will also fly in her honor over the U.S. Capitol.

by Charleston Currents · 08/09/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

NEWS BRIEFS: Volunteers, blood donors needed for hurricane season

Staff reports | As hurricane season moves towards its peak season and experts say more hurricanes are expected, the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help support shelters as well as donors to give blood. According to the National Hurricane Center, there’s a 60 percent chance of a tropical wave off the African coast developing into a tropical depression that may influence weather here.

by Charleston Currents · 08/09/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg watches Saunders on a big screen at a watch party.

FOCUS: Lowcountry track and field athletes medal in Olympics

Staff reports | North Charleston native Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took gold for Puerto Rico in the women’s 100 meter hurdles early Monday in the Tokyo Olympics while Charleston’s Raven Saunders on Saturday nabbed the silver medal in the shot put.

Camacho-Quinn, a 24-year-old graduate of Fort Dorchester High School who went on to be a college track star at the University of Kentucky, on Monday ran the event in 12.37 seconds, according to NBC. Camacho-Quinn competed for Puerto Rico because her mother is from there.

On Saturday in the shot put final field of 12, 25-year-old Saunders was edged out by Chinese competitor Lijao Gong, whose final two throws of more than 20 meters bested Saunders’ longest throw of 19.79 meters.

by Charleston Currents · 08/02/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

NEWS BRIEFS: State’s natural areas to get more protection

Staff reports | State leaders and land preservation advocates will gather Tuesday to announce a wide-ranging initiative to dramatically increase protection and preservation of natural areas across South Carolina.

by Charleston Currents · 08/02/2021 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs