Estate Planning Attorney inNorth Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Coast Guardsmen jumped into action to help an injured boater after a vessel crashed into a seawall near the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center on the Cooper River in North Charleston.

The crash happened at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday.

“I was outside playing a game of corn hole with some of my fellow classmates when we heard a boat coming by and a loud crash,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Clifford Marshall said.

Marshall is currently a student at the training center and is based out of St. Louis.

He said once he heard the crash, he saw the boat up against the seawall and ran inside to tell his superiors to call base security and to call 9-1-1 for help.

He then ran toward the seawall and shimmied for several minutes on the rusted seawall, cutting his hands in the process, to reach the spot where the boat was, being the first person on the scene.

“My hands were about eye high on me,” Marshall said. “My feet were on a knife-edge, and I just had to walk sideways on it for about 100 yards to get out there.”

Once he got there, he said he made sure the boater was the only one on board and assessed the person’s injuries before help arrived.

“After doing some of that, I signaled to the fire boat that was coming in the area where I was at, announced myself as U.S. Coast Guard, told them I was there to help,” Marshall said. “Then, I began assisting them putting the individual onto the backboard and moving them from that vessel onto their vessel after we had to move some of the damage from the boat there.”

Coast Guard Lt. Nathan Ryan, an instructor at the training center, said Marshall’s actions are part of what the military branch stands for.

“The Coast Guard’s motto is Semper Paratus, always ready, and I believe that Petty Officer Marshall’s actions were indicative of that motto,” Ryan said. “We’re always ready. We rely on our training and our instincts that we’ve gathered from that.”

Marshall has since gotten tetanus shots for his cuts, but that doesn’t matter to him -- only that a person in trouble needed help.

“I don’t think anyone else wouldn’t have done that as well if they had that opportunity. Just did my best,” Marshall said.

The petty officer said he was in the right place at the right time and just a Coast Guardsmen doing his duty.

Authorities said the boater suffered significant injuries and was transported to MUSC.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is continuing to investigate the crash.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Food trucks have become a key part of Charleston’s food and beverage industry, but it hasn’t always been that way.

Roti Rolls co-owner Cory Burke recalls being one of just four Charleston trucks when he hit the road with favorites like the “Mother Clucker” and “Thurman Murman” in 2010. That’s why he decided to launch the Charleston Food Truck Festival, which will return for an 11th time in May.

With 35 food trucks, almost 20 retail vendors and a new North Charleston venue, Burke hopes to build on the momentum from the 2021 festival that was held in the spring for the first time.

“Last year, I couldn’t even believe the turnout,” said Burke, describing the 2021 two-day festival that brought 18,000 people to North Charleston’s Riverfront Park. “It was one of the best vibes we’ve ever had. Everyone was in it together, and I think there’s always been a camaraderie (between) the trucks.”

This year, A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, The Motley Chew, Bangin’ Vegan Eats, & Lobster, Area 51 Foods, La’Son Anchor Grill, Lola’s Lumpia and many more will set up shop in the Tanger Outlets parking lot (4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd.) in North Charleston. The free event will take place from noon-8 p.m. May 21 and 22.

And moving forward, Burke says the festival will be biannual, with the fall fest scheduled for Oct. 22-23. Making the festival free enhances sales opportunities for the trucks, Burke said.

“We started this as food trucks to support food trucks, and the biggest way for us to support food trucks is to not charge admission,” he said.

Since its 2010 debut, Roti Rolls has expanded to Atlanta, where Burke operates another Roti Rolls food truck, mobile bar and brewpub called Best End Brewing Co. With these new spin-offs, Burke is continuing to prove that food trucks can be thriving ventures long-term alongside business partner Alton Ankersen.

They hope the Charleston Food Truck Festival helps newer trucks grow their brand locally.

Last year’s festival was the first time & Lobster owner Rob Cassi, who debuted his New England-inspired truck in 2020, had participated in an event of that size and stature. He’s since added more festivals to the truck’s schedule, shortening his menu for the high-volume events to feature & Lobster’s specialties: Lobster, crab and shrimp rolls, which will be available at the Charleston Food Truck Festival.

For Cassi, the best part of popping up at festivals is the chance to converse and collaborate with other food truck owners.

“The truck community is really cool to be a part of, and it is honestly refreshing to work alongside other great owners,” Cassi said. “I love these festivals because we’re generally all of a mindset that we want everyone to succeed.”

Beverage tents will be stationed throughout the outdoor venue, and vendors will even swing by individual food trucks to serve patrons who are waiting in line; although Cassi says customers won’t have to worry about waiting in line at & Lobster.

“We don’t want to keep people waiting in line,” he said. “I try to keep our wait time to order at a minute and then serving our food to less than 5 minutes.”

For more information on the Charleston Food Truck Festival, go to chsfoodtruckfestival.com.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC, a modern blacksmithing company, today announced plans to expand operations in Charleston County. The company’s $2.9 million investment will create 45 new jobs over the next three years.

Founded in 2013, Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC intertwines traditional blacksmith techniques with modern machining and fabrication methods to craft iron pieces ranging from custom architectural ironwork commissions to volume-produced pieces of furniture, decorative hardware and cookware.

Relocating within the county to 56 Hayter Street in North Charleston, Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC’s new facility will expand the company’s operational footprint to accommodate production line growth.

The expansion is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“We are excited about the next phase of Robert Thomas Iron Design’s growth and are very happy that we are able to do this on the historic Navy Base. Our expanded operations will enable our growing community of craftsmen and designers to have the space, equipment and support they need to keep the spirit of blacksmithing thriving in Charleston.” -Robert Thomas Iron Design Owner Robert Thomas

“The success of our existing industries is critical to South Carolina’s strong and growing economy. Today we celebrate Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC’s expansion and 45 new jobs in Charleston County. Congratulations, and we look forward to their continued success.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“Congratulations to Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC on expanding in Charleston County. It’s particularly exciting to announce the growth of a modern blacksmithing company such as Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC. We look forward to seeing how the company continues to inspire modern craftsmanship in Charleston County and across South Carolina.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Blacksmithing is experiencing a modern artistic revival, and we are proud that Robert Thomas Iron Design, LLC has committed to growing this craft in Charleston County. Their investment and creation of new jobs is a welcome addition to the community.” -Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A longtime City of North Charleston employee is accusing North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey of inappropriate sexual advances both before and during her time working for the city.

DeLisa Reynolds and Keith Summey have known each other for decades. In the late 1990’s DeLisa and her husband at the time, along with Keith, and his wife, Deborah, owned a post office together on E. Montague Avenue in North Charleston.

“So, the four of us renovated, we did work, we ran businesses, we opened a post office,” said Reynolds. “I took that service on.”

Being self-employed, Reynolds said she was concerned about her lack of health insurance. That’s when the Summeys offered her a part-time job working as a receptionist for the City of North Charleston in 2001.

At that time, Summey had been mayor for around seven years.

“I started about 21 years ago and have been there ever since,” said Reynolds.

Throughout her time working for the city, Reynolds moved up the ranks from a part-time receptionist to a secretary a year later, then to an administrative assistant in 2006, a special events coordinator in 2016, and earlier this year she became archives and history coordinator.

Reynolds says the sexual advances by Mayor Summey started before Reynolds began working at the city. She says they began at the post office the Reynolds and Summeys owned together.

“I was at the post office working and he came in. And I went into the closet and he followed me. and that’s where it all began. It was groping. and kissing me,” said Reynolds.

She approximates the time frame of that was in the summer of 1999.

“How many times? I can’t tell you…I can’t tell you that. I don’t….it was so many.”

She said things progressed over the following years and never completely stopped and Summey would still make comments.

“Up until November, this past November it was ‘Hey, let me get a kiss.'”

Reynolds says she was never comfortable reporting the alleged harassment out of fear of retaliation.

“No. I didn’t have anyone to report that to. At that time it was a man’s world. HR was a man director that was very close with the people in the executive department. So I didn’t think I was safe enough to say that or would I lose my job for saying that to HR? I didn’t want my family to know what was going on. I didn’t want my children to know, my husband. So, I just kept it.”

Reynolds considered leaving her job but was concerned about finding the same amount of money and a job she liked as much as her city job.

Reynolds says she started noticing what she describes as an “abuse of power” by Mayor Summey and other executive staffers at the city.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever really noticed so much of it until it actually happened to me directly,” said Reynolds. “Because I was dedicated to the city and the mayor. My goal always was to make sure my job reflected on him as me doing a good job for the city. It was to make him and the city look good.”

During her time working in the executive department, Reynolds says things would stick out to her.

“You notice promotions and things going on and people that were getting more than what others weren’t getting for doing double the work. Other people were coming in because they were friends or whatever. Granted, I was a friend of the mayor as well and the family. So I felt ‘well, they’re protecting me by offering me a position.'”

She says she really started to notice the “abuse of power” when she saw other women becoming involved.

“Just by the way they would disappear together,” said Reynolds. “But I didn’t give it a whole lot of thought.”

Reynolds’ job was switched and she began working at Riverfront Park, something she did not enjoy at first because she felt isolated.

“Maybe that’s because I was starting to see things a little bit differently,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds never planned on coming forward with the allegations. She tells News 2 she planned to stop working for the city at the end of Mayor Summey’s current term which ends in 2023.

“I had already started making a 2.5-year plan. That when the mayor left, I would go too. And I would go silently. And they wouldn’t let me finish out my tenure that way.”

Last October, Reynolds’ adult son made a negative comment on social media about Elliot Summey, Mayor Summey’s son.

Reynolds believes the actions of her son had a direct impact on her, even though she told the Summey family that those were her son’s beliefs and words and did not reflect her own.

“I took a direct hit. My workload got different, I did things that I should not have had to do as a salaried employee, I put in a lot of extra hours that I should not have to do,” said Reynolds. “When they stopped talking to me back in October, things were building and building and I was being scrutinized with everything I did.”

Fast forward to the beginning of 2022, Reynolds was removed from her role of being a Special Event Coordinator at Riverfront Park and given a new role.

“They created this position so they could remove me from what I had worked so hard for.”

Reynolds’ new title is Archives and History Coordinator. A job she says she’s not qualified for nor did she want or ask for.

“They were forcing me out of my position and creating a position I technically do not have the knowledge to do.”

Then, in February 2022, Reynolds filed a formal complaint to the city detailing what she calls the abuse of power.

Reynolds says because of this recent situation, she is upset and frustrated and has changed the way she is thinking about her future.

That’s why she decided to come forward with these allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct and abuse of power.

“I started to rethink…this is not the life I want to live.”

A press release sent to News 2 by the lawyers of Reynolds says if a formal investigation is not made into the allegations, Reynolds will take legal action.

The City of North Charleston responded with the following statement on Sunday. They declined a request for comment on Monday.

“On January 14, 2022, Ms. Reynolds was notified of a lateral move to Archives and History Coordinator. This transfer did not negatively affect Ms. Reynolds’ pay or benefits with the city. Ms. Reynolds’ complaint was received shortly thereafter.

Employment History:Part-time receptionist – 2001Secretary – 2002 Administrative Assistant – 2006 Special Events Coordinator – 2016Archives and History Coordinator – 2022

Mayor Summey and the City deny the allegations raised by Ms. Reynolds’ lawyer and will not comment further on threatened or pending litigation.

City of North Charleston”

Reynolds is currently on leave from her job as part of the Family and Medical Leave Act due to medical issues. She was approved for leave on January 21st, 2022, was reevaluated on April 14th and her leave was extended until June 24th.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

COLUMBIA — Shelters across South Carolina are overflowing as the number of animals rises for the second time since 2020.

More animals arriving at shelters in the summer is not unusual as more people go on vacation or move, said Victoria Riles, superintendent of Columbia Animal Services.

And shelters have been at higher capacity since fewer animals are being spayed and neutered as COVID-19 took most of the attention of medical professionals, said Abigail Appleton, chief projects officer at North Charleston-based No Kill South Carolina.

But shelter owners have said overcrowding is worse than ever before with a shortage of veterinarians and fewer people willing to temporarily house animals, commonly known as fostering.

The overcapacity has been going on since the winter.

“We’re overwhelmed and trying to do the best that we can but the animals ultimately are going to suffer,” said Denise Wilkinson, chief executive of Columbia’s Pawmetto Lifeline.

Seventy percent of the 75 shelters in South Carolina don’t have a dedicated veterinarian, Wilkinson said. Without one, it’s harder to give away dogs since state law says any dog that is adopted must be fixed.

This creates a growing number of dogs in shelters.

Pawmetto Lifeline had 177 animals in a building meant for 150 on June 13. To fit the extra animals, they had to store their animals in an area meant for training dogs.

On May 27, Columbia Animal Services declared a state of emergency on its social media pages. It had 192 dogs in its building, which has 148 dog kennels. Almost all of their kennels had a dog or two in them on June 14. One dog was in a cage in a room meant for playing with cats.

Cheryl Price, an animal control officer at Calhoun County Animal Shelter, said the shelter has been at capacity for the past year and a half with 18 kennels. She said whenever a dog is adopted, two or three are waiting to take its place.

“It’s just mentally and physically exhausting. Your mind never shuts down,” Price said.

As more dogs arrive at shelters, the threat of diseases spreading increases.

Joe Elmore, president and CEO of Charleston Animal Society, said more dogs are coming to their shelter in North Charleston with distemper, a virus that is usually incurable, fatal and highly transmissible. State law also says dogs admitted to a shelter must be held for five days.

The growing number of animals also can result in an increase in dogs being put down, according to Shelly Simmons, director of Greenville County Animal Care. She said that the shelter usually puts down dogs with moderate to severe behavioral or health problems. Now, she said they’re having to put down dogs with only mild problems.

“They could become healthy if we had the space and the time,” Simmons said.

Multiple shelters either lowered or removed adoption fees for some time. Columbia Animal Services waived all adoption fees last week and Greenville County Animal Care has free adoptions for all of June.

“It really is still only a Band-Aid to the bigger problem, which is, the number of pets that are coming into the shelter,” Simmons said.

Pawmetto Lifeline has lowered its fees for three days earlier in June and opened up two hours early June 11 to get more people to take their animals. Wilkinson said they were considering opening early again on June 18.

One way Pawmetto Lifeline and other shelters reduce their capacity is by getting people to take cats and dogs home temporarily. The group, however, has a list of several hundred animals waiting to be put into foster care.

Despite their pushes on social media and their deals, though, Wilkinson said they received a very small response from anyone willing to temporarily house an animal.

Many of the dogs filling up shelters are pit bulls and pit bulls mix, according to Elmore. Since shelters facing capacity issues won’t be able to give the care animals need, this could make dogs more aggressive, Elmore said.

Some shelter owners favor stronger spay and neuter laws targeting pitbull-type dogs specifically.

“We’re all just frustrated with having to put them down because there’s so many flooding the shelters now,” Elmore said.