Criminal Defense Attorney inJames Island, SC

South Carolina’s first-ever cannabis dry bar has landed on James Island. High Rise Dry Bar from Charleston Hemp Collective opened Aug. 11 and is changing the world of hemp-derived products and the non-alcoholic beverage space by offering mocktails made with legal cannabis seltzers.

“I think it’s really cool pioneering stuff like this,” said Matt Skinner, owner of Charleston Hemp Collective. “You always kind of worry about whether it’s going to go over and how many people are going to relate to it, but I feel like the reception we’ve gotten just so far is insane, so I’m super-excited about it.”

In recent years, the popularity of legal hemp-derived products has exploded in the Charleston area as these products are said to offer purported medicinal benefits and increase relaxation. Hemp Collective offers a range of products from vapes and gummies to tinctures and even Bloody Mary mix. But since launching its cannabis seltzer High Rise in May 2022, Skinner has noticed a fast-shifting acceptance.

“Charleston has really embraced this whole [cannabis] movement,” he said. “So much has changed, and so much of it is becoming more and more accepted.”

Currently, High Rise’s seltzers are in about 200 bars and restaurants, including Halls Chophouse and Husk, and 350 shops and grocery stores in the Charleston area. But the product also is distributed throughout the Southeast in Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.

“Some of the most elevated restaurants in Charleston are really trying to create mocktails now and jumping on board with High Rise to help craft that, and I think that’s special,” Skinner said.

He said he believes now is an exciting time — not only for the cannabis space but also the non-alcoholic market. He points to a renewed interest in non-alcoholic options particularly amongst Gen Z, who are noticeably drinking less alcohol than previous generations.

A 2022 consumer trends report from Drizly found 38% of Gen Z respondents said they opted for more alcohol-free drinks than the previous year compared to 25% of Millennials, 15% Gen X and 8% Baby Boomers.

“There’s this interest not only in the ‘canna-curious’ space right now, but also people are looking for NA (non-alcoholic) options. The NA world and the beverage space right now is insane,” Skinner said.

The company’s original plan was to create a second shop with a small bar, but now the bar is really the star, he said. Skinner and his business partner, Chris Long, wanted a space for a high-end mocktail bar, so they used a portion of the space for the shop and a larger portion for a bar, lounge area and multiple tables for guests to sit and mingle.

During the store’s recent soft opening, DJ Jerry Feels Good set the vibe with upbeat tunes. Skinner said the bar plans to bring DJ Jerry Feels Good back as a regular in-house DJ in addition to rotating other DJs on various nights.

Currently, the bar’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. But Skinner said they may expand the weekend hours in the future.

The first iteration of the drink menu includes seven unique mocktails with names like Connection, Tranquility, Invigorate and Zen.

Drinks include fruity ingredients like salted watermelon and pomegranate and well as savory elements like ginger, turmeric and matcha. The menu offers suggestions under each drink to add CBD, Delta-8 or Delta-9 seltzer to elevate the experience.

For those who are canna-curious but not familiar with these different derivatives of the hemp plant, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp that can induce feelings of relaxation. Delta-8 and Delta-9 are both psychoactive compounds in the plant that can induce feelings of “being high.”

Roughly one-third of a can of High Rise seltzer is used in each drink — equal to two milligrams of CBD, Delta-8 or Delta 9.

“The point is not just one and done,” Skinner said of the mocktails. “We want you to be able to try two or three drinks. And by the time you get to your third drink, you’re gonna be feeling really good. It creates more of a social experience.”

Jules Schneider, beverage director for Herd Provisions, helped develop the current menu.“[This was] easily the most challenging menu I’ve done so far,” Schneider said. “Coaxing out flavor without the use of alcohol is another beast on its own. Alcohol is such a great solvent that making well-flavored ingredients is a cinch. I ended up making my own bitters with vegetable glycerin in a pressure cooker and really relied on great produce and proper technique to make fantastically flavored syrups.”

Skinner added, “I’ve got to give a lot of props to Jules. Not only did he take time to look at so many different [flavor] profiles, [but] he was also very careful when he named them. They all really represent the ingredients of those drinks and what they stand for.”

The menu will change quarterly to introduce new drinks and operate as a space for experimentation. Skinner wants to use the bar to test out new mocktails in addition to featuring rotating specialty High Rise drinks other restaurants and bars have developed for their location including Herd Provisions, The Longboard and others.

“Charleston is a community that supports brands that they feel like are really making a movement, and Charleston has really gotten behind High Rise,” Skinner said. “I don’t think there’s another city in the Southeast that has so much respect for this cannabis drink space.”

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JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)- It has been 35 days since Jennifer Drummond was found severely injured along a James Island road.

Friends and family are still searching for answers in what is believed to be a hit-and-run.

The family, joined by their attorney, held a press conference Wednesday morning with new details they hope will bring them closer to finding the person responsible.

The Drumond family, fatigued, after over a month of not knowing exactly what happened to Jenn.

“We don’t sleep at night, wondering if someone texted with a lead,” Jenn’s uncle, Chris Drummond said.

However, they’re not letting up.

Drummond said, “You just can’t hit somebody in the roadway and drive off, and someone not know something.”

Searching everywhere they know of for answers to what is believed to be a hit-and-run.

In a press conference Wednesday morning, their attorney Scott Bischoff, gave new information on her movements that morning.

“Based on information on Jenn’s phone, her step count that was also connected to her apple watch, we believe that she left her house around 5:17 and her step count stops at 5:18, just before 5:19,” Bischoff said.

According to surveillance video there were three cars that drove down Woodland Shores Road around the time of the incident, but new video shows the car believed to be the one that hit Jenn.

“We believe the primary suspect vehicle is vehicle number 3, that appears to be a relatively modern SUV with a sunroof and 5 lights,” Bischoff said.

As far as Jenn’s condition, family members say she is making progress.

They say she got up and walked yesterday, but she’s still very slow to answer questions and there’s still a long way to go.

At this point they’re just doing whatever they can to bring justice to Jenn.

“On top of a really awful injury that she suffered, our mind is also thinking who did this, when will answers surface, will answers surface. It’s something that weighs on our mind constantly,” Jenn’s best friend, Audrey Marhoefer said.

There is a $10,000 reward for information about the incident of you have any information about this incident, call the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.

A developer looking to build on just over six acres of land on James Island held a community meeting with neighbors as the potential project moves forward.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A developer looking to build on just over six acres of land on James Island held a community meeting with neighbors as the potential project moves forward.

The 6.5-acre parcel off Dills Bluff Road, near the intersection of Camp Road, is currently owned by the town’s public service district. KT Properties President Kyle Taylor said they plan to build a 20,000 to 25,000 square foot commercial center to hold about 10 to 15 businesses.

“Lowcountry-style architecture is where we’re heading,” Taylor said. “We see mixed-use retail, some restaurant, small to medium scale, some coffee, some office, medical office, just a variety of uses to support the local community.”

The district attempted to develop a new operations center on the property for several years. The projects were put on hold amid pushback from neighbors against the plan.

The property then went up for sale in 2021, and developer KT Properties is under contract with the public service district to purchase the land.

Toward the rear of the parcel, Taylor said they plan on proceeding with building 25 attached townhome units to make living on the island more affordable and save as many grand trees as possible. Taylor said those changes were made based on feedback from neighbors.

“First and foremost, we want to make sure the community knew that we weren’t doing a cross-connection road,” Taylor said. “That was the most important concerns for neighbors that we weren’t going to send traffic to the neighborhood, which we are not. Especially, making sure we are taking care of stormwater management by adding a third pond was maybe some new information for some folks inside.”

Some neighbors said the project is too dense compared to the surrounding area and the land could instead be used for a park.

“The open space that they’re proposing is not enough,” neighbor John Peters said. “That little open space in the center is like hanging out in the parking lot. It’s what I’ve been telling people because that’s what it is.”

Others, however, said it’s exactly what James Island needs to grow.

“I think it’s the beautification, and the fact that they are really addressing the stormwater issue,” neighbor Joanne Root said. “It’s very well executed, and it’s going to be very attractive, and I think it’s really going to uplift this area.”

Peters believes the project does not fit into the area where it’s slotted to be.

“There’s hawks and owls that live in there. There’s concern with the wilderness there,” he said. “They come over and take out those squirrels, so there’s a lot of little things that are being overlooked in lieu of developing to just add more citizens to the neighborhood that we already have enough citizens in.”

Root, however, believes there’s enough of a market to build the development.

“I think the townhouses would be perfect, and I think there’s a big need for that,” she said. “There’s a lot of people that can’t maintain a yard that are definitely looking for that. It’s more progressive, I think, and more forward-thinking.”

As the project has been in the works for several years, Peters said he believes it should be up to the public to decide what happens with the land.

“Put it on the ballot and say, ‘Citizens, what do you want to do with this land?’ And come up with the best ideas possible,” he said. “If the citizens say they want a development, they put a development in there. If they want a park, we’ll put a park in there. If they want a fitness trail, let’s put a fitness trail.”

Taylor said he hopes the project will be finished with design and permitting around spring next year. He said construction would follow shortly after.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Coming off an 11-win season with many of their key players returning, the James Island Trojans are the clear-cut favorite to repeat as the Region 7-AAAA champion.

The Trojans enter the season as a top 10 team in the Class AAAA statewide media poll, and have their sights set on bigger things this season.

The Bengals of Lucy Beckham won seven games in their first full varsity season and should be a strong contender for a top three finish in the standings this season.

May River, Hilton Head and Bluffton will be playoff-capable teams. Colleton County, under new coach Adam Kinloch, should be improved but may be a year away from earning a playoff spot.

James Island

HEAD COACH: Jamar McKoy

2022 RECORD: 11-2

WHAT TO KNOW: With talent, size and experience, these Trojans are potentially the best team in school history.

Senior Braxton Scott returns at quarterback after missing most of last season with an injury. Scott is a true dual threat with multiple weapons at his disposal. Senior Wushi Ravenel is among the top wide receivers in the state and Amontre Scott, Amor Scott and James Maxwell are athletic skill players coming off big seasons. Magnum Chestnut is a returning senior leader along the offensive line.

The defense is loaded up front with juniors Dalton Woodall, Malachi Jefferson and Hendrix Beran all showing college prospect potential. Senior Chris Glover returns at linebacker and senior Jayden Whaley anchors a talented defensive backfield. Burke transfer Jaden Brown-Singleton will be an added weapon on both sides of the ball.

The Trojans also boast one of the top special teams unit in senior punter Coleman Franzone and junior placekicker Gray Dangerfield.

Lucy Beckham

HEAD COACH: Jamel Smith

2022 RECORD: 7-4

WHAT TO KNOW: Despite a relative lack of varsity game experience, the Bengals played with great effort and determination to earn a playoff berth last season.

With Smith at the helm, effort is a priority and the Bengals should again be in the chase. Among the top returning performers are athlete Charles Byrd, who can play running back or receiver and is a key playmaker offensively.

Senior Bryce Rothwell returns as one of the state’s top tight ends, Sawyer Hearne is back as a starter along the offensive line,

Linebacker play should be a strength with several returners. Among those returning backers are Hank Aeppli, Jackson Allison and Daniel Fletcher. The defensive line play is led by senior Jaiden Moore. Mason Ombres and Joseph Tolley are returning as defensive backs and may see time at receiver.

May River

HEAD COACH: Richard Bonneville

2022 RECORD: 5-6

WHAT TO KNOW: Bonneville moves from his role as an assistant coach into the head coaching position this season so the transition should go smoothly. The Sharks are 34-9 since 2018 and the winning should continue in 2023.

Junior quarterback Tanner Macy is a key returner offensively, along with junior receiver Gage Duncan. Leading along the front are senior Will Mauro and senior tight end Cayson Simmons.

Two seniors, Adrian Gaston and Karon Green, will anchor the defense along the front. Senior Kammron Mitchell is a key returner in the secondary.

Bluffton

HEAD COACH: Hayden Gregory

2022 RECORD: 5-7

WHAT TO KNOW: Gregory has brought a resurgence to Bluffton and the Bobcats could make a run at a top two finish this season.

The offense will be directed by senior Owen Bayes, who transferred from region rival Hilton Head. Bayes accounted for more than 800 total yards as a part-time starter at Hilton Head.

Junior Sebastian Tollefson returns as one of the top athletes and will see time at running back and defensive back. Sophomore Carnell Warren is the top receiver.

Leading the defense will be senior linebacker Jeremiah Curry and senior end Shane Whitaker. Curry racked up more than 100 tackles last season while Whitaker tallied 12 tackles for loss coming off the edge.

Hilton Head

HEAD COACH: BJ Payne

2022 RECORD: 3-7

WHAT TO KNOW: The Seahawks look to move into the top three in the region with a handful of key returning players on each side of the ball.

With one quarterback transferring to Bluffton, the offense is now in the hands of 6-5 senior Jackson Bibee, who saw extensive action a year ago in a two-quarterback system.

The offense will have balance with the return of junior running back Troy Timko, who rushed for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago.

The defense may be in the overall strength of the 2023 team. Senior end Shaikh Thompson is one of the top prospects in the state, racking up 15 tackles for loss last season.

Senior linebacker Connor Wiendl returns after 61 tackles and 10 tackles for loss last season. Sophomores Chris Holmes (tackle) and Allen Green (end) will step into key roles along the front.

Colleton County

HEAD COACH: Adam Kinloch

2022 RECORD: 1-9

WHAT TO KNOW: Kinloch, a Colleton County graduate and former player, returns home as head coach for his first stint as the leader of a program. The new coach has assembled a staff with several fellow graduates and has worked hard to rebuild a strong culture and relationship with the community.

On the field, wins may be hard to come by in year one, but Kinloch is building a deeper program with increased participation.

While unsettled on a firm starter at quarterback, Kinloch expects sophomore Cameron Grayson to be a major factor at running back this fall. Another key performer is senior Nick Williams, a 6-2, 225-pound tight end.

Senior tackle Jayshawn Brown is the leader along the front with sophomore Xavion Green showing solid potential as well.

Williams also will be a factor defensively, at linebacker. Juniors Amari Williams and Kendall Farmer are showing promise at outside linebacker and senior Kamarion Bryant will anchor the defensive front. Senior Antoine McWilliams is the leader in the secondary at safety.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Nearly two years after a church on James Island was destroyed in a devastating fire, church leaders are holding a community event Wednesday to celebrate getting a new steeple installed.

“This is just a moment to celebrate what God has done over the past 2 years. The steeple is almost like a beacon to the community like, ‘Hey we’re still here, we’re still here to help, we’re still here to help bring hope,” Pastor Marty Middleton says.

The steeple celebration at Fort Johnson Baptist Church on Camp Road begins at 6:30 p.m. There will be music, snow cones, bounce castles, a slide show of the reconstruction process and more.

Lightning struck the steeple in September of 2021, which smoldered overnight until huge flames engulfed the structure, Middleton says. What the fire didn’t destroy, he tells us, smoke and water from the firehoses did.

The steeple collapsed into the sanctuary, with insulation, beams, roofing and other debris tumbling onto the pews and littering the aisles. The classroom space behind the sanctuary was also destroyed, Middleton says.

The sanctuary itself is still under construction and is set to be finished this fall, and the new classrooms behind the sanctuary are finished, allowing preschoolers to enjoy the new facilities when school starts there next week.

With the new steeple set to be installed Wednesday, the whole story will be brought full circle since it was what first caught fire.

“The steeple’s being raised throughout the day today, and tonight hopefully everything will be on the roof and we’ll be able to see and celebrate what God’s done over the past 2 years,” Middleton says. “A lot of times you go through a hard time and it can be difficult, but we want to focus on the positive things that have happened.”

Despite insurance and previous donations to the church, they are about $1.5 million short on funds for the renovation and reconstruction because of required code upgrades and limits on insurance, Middleton says.

“To go through a process like this and end up with $1.5 million of debt is going to be disheartening for our people,” he says. “If there’s a way people want to give or pray or coming out to support what we’re doing right here, that would be greatly appreciated.”

If you would like to learn more information about the renovation or to donate, visit fjbc.net/give

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.