Pest Control in Huger, SC

Just 45 minutes outside of Charleston, a small town with a population of roughly 3,379 people lies in the midst of Berkeley County.

Huger is the hometown of Dr. Anthony Williams and Dr. Jessica Berry, both of whom were recently named to South Carolina State University’s Top 40 under 40 inaugural class.

The award was designed to honor alumni that have made strides to further their careers and impact their communities.

Growing up in Huger, Berry was a fluent native Gullah Geechee speaker. She attended Cainhoy Elementary and Middle School, the same school that Williams would attend only a few years later.

“Huger is extremely rural, people don’t really get to see a whole lot outside of that space there,” Berry said.

Berry went on to graduate from Hanahan High school and Williams at Timberland High School.

“At Timberland High School, I wasn’t the ideal student,” Williams said. “I didn’t have a 4.0 GPA, I didn’t have all A’s, I wasn’t in the honor classes. But my school counselor at the time, who is also an SC State graduate, Mr. Hilton, for some reason saw a lot in me. He saw way more in me then I saw in myself.”

Williams attended South Carolina State University, located in Orangeburg, in the fall after high school graduation. Four years later, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in child development.

Inspired by his own experiences with his school counselor back at Timberland High, Williams began working toward his master’s in school counseling.

“I had to be a school counselor because I wanted to pay it forward, Williams said. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for my own school counselor.”

Two and a half years later, in 2017, Williams graduated once again from SC State University with an administration degree. For a final time in July 2020, Williams completed his doctoral degree at SC State and since has been serving as an assistant principal at Sumter High School.

Today, Williams uses his personal experience of growing up in Huger as a testimony to what students can become despite any current circumstances.

“Being from that community, I understand there’s a lot of difficult situations and that circumstances aren’t always ideal,” Williams said. “Sometimes when you’re in it, you can’t see out of it. When I was a school counselor I used to say, ‘your grades are your get-out. Continue to pour into your school work and you will get out. If you want to be a lawyer or a doctor or a dentist or a principal, it is possible.’ I could have been a principal with just my master’s degree but my doctoral degree is to show the kids that you can do it. It’s not that far fetched. Go get it,” Williams said.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Winthrop University, Berry began pursuing her master’s at SC State University. It was during this time that her passion for educating the next generation on cultural biases that exist and advocating for people who don’t speak mainstream English was first sparked.

After receiving her doctoral degree from Louisiana State University, Berry returned to the state to serve closer to home.

Today, Berry continues to partner with school districts promoting this advocacy and even writing a book titled “The little Gullah Geechee: A Guide for the Come Ya (2019),” in an ambition to educate others on the Gullah Geechee culture.

Since 2017, Berry has served as an assistant professor with SC State in the speech pathology department.

Growing up unsure if she would ever have the opportunity to obtain a degree as grandiose as her own, she now leads the same department where she was once a student.

“My hope is that there’s another little girl in my area who sees me get this award and serve the community and educate people about who we are as Gullah Geechee and decide that I am worth it,” Berry said.

HUGER, SC (WCSC) - Many homes on French Quarter Creek, in Huger, still had water in the living rooms Tuesday. Items like mattresses and carpet were stacked outside on driveways, a display of items destroyed in the flood.

"This is the first day of cleanup," said Bill Cahill.

Water levels had gone down significantly, allowing people to get an idea of just home much they lost.

"I'm thinking $150,000," said Cahill.

Cahill and his family were picking up pieces from the storm at a home he built more than 20 years ago.

On Saturday night, it was that home where many found refuge.

"We were pulling people from all the houses around the neighborhood," said Cahill. "911 was calling us. Tommy and Bud down the road had boats and DNR couldn't get in here. So, they were bringing the people here to the porch."

More than 20 people packed on Cahill's porch. Soon, the US Coast Guard sent a helicopter to help.

Cahill, now a neighborhood hero, had only one thing on his mind.

"We were just trying to make sure everybody stayed safe," said Cahill. "At that point they're safe and you just worry about the damage later."

Thankful everyone was safe, his family now begins tackling those damages.

Recovery was seen around Huger.Just down the street, on Charity Church Road, Carrie Bennett was dragging her carpet to the road.She was still in disbelief at what she saw during the storm.

"I mean the water was coming up across the highway," said Bennett. "You couldn't walk to your mailbox without getting wet up."

The welcome sign at French Quarter Creek still had water at its foot, but much less compared to what the was seen days ago.The message on the sign reads "Thanks for visiting, please drive safely." It's a message of care that's still evident in the hearts of the people in Huger.

"I don't think you can ever underestimate things," said Cahill.

"God does everything for a reason," said Bennett. "It could be a blessing, and who knows. I'm just going to thank him anyways in advance."

The American Red Cross was also in Huger, assisting with damage assessments. For help with that in Charleston, call : 843-764-2323 x321

Copyright 2015 WCSC. All rights reserved.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Authorities have captured fugitive Michael Burham after a multi-day search that spanned two Lowcountry counties.

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis said they received a call from a resident on Wednesday afternoon after spotting Burham on their property off United Drive. Burham ran from behind a shed which ultimately led to his capture shortly after 5:15 p.m.

“Teams were very close. We were concentrating on the area. SLED, the FBI, Charleston County, bloodhounds — they all moved in and he was taken into custody,” said Sheriff Lewis.

Burham was not in great shape upon his capture after moving through sections of the Francis Marion National Forest for days. “You could tell he had been in the elements for some time,” Sheriff Lewis added.

Neighbors who were watching the law enforcement activity in a rural area of the county cheered after BCSO spokeswoman Carli Drayton announced Burham was captured.

Burham was taken to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office where he will be booked and processed. He will be extradited to New York to face his charges.

Burham, who was wanted in connection to a sexual assault and homicide out of Jamestown, New York, made his way to the Lowcountry Sunday after allegedly kidnapping an elderly couple from Pennsylvania.

The couple said that he drove them to North Charleston and then let them go.

A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court of the Western District of New York Monday for the unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, according to the FBI.

Hundreds of law enforcement agents, including the FBI and State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents, assisted in the search. A $10,000 reward for his capture was offered by the FBI.

A large area of the Francis Marion National Forest in Huger was saturated Tuesday after officials encountered Burham, but he escaped.

Overnight Tuesday, a sighting was reported near Awendaw in Charleston County, so resources were shifted to that area.

On Wednesday afternoon, Berkeley County officials got a tip that a man matching Burham’s description was spotted behind a home on United Drive, in the same area where officials had been searching Tuesday.

Law enforcement officials quickly moved search efforts back to Berkeley County, where Burham was taken into custody.

Editor’s note: This story is breaking and will be updated.

The Richland County Council voted Tuesday to unanimously approve financial incentives for a $100 million housing development at the former SCANA bus storage site on Huger Street.

Huger Flats, previously identified by the county as Project Wichita, will take up nearly 6 acres at 1409 Huger St. across from The Nine student apartment complex, at the gateway to downtown Columbia’s Vista.

The apartment development plans to include sidewalks, a pocket park and a 643-space parking garage, according to county documents.

During the council’s first vote on incentives for the project in March, it was proposed as an $90 million investment. The updated $100 million plan makes the development one of the most expensive housing developments in the city.

The nearby CanalSide development remains the highest with over $100 million invested into apartments at the old South Carolina Penitentiary site.

The new Huger Flats location is one of the most prominent and valuable undeveloped properties in downtown. It has been empty since 2008 when SCANA tore down the old bus barn.

The land was first developed in 1902 as an SCE&G manufactured gas plant, which left coal tar as a byproduct. The apartment development plan currently estimates that required environmental remediation of the area will cost over $1 million. Other large costs include building the parking facility and modernizing and burying electric lines.

Huger Flats also plans to relocate and modernize stormwater and sewer mains, add green spaces and improve the roadway.

There is an estimated total of $22 million of public infrastructure improvements related to the development.

The project is to be developed by Atlanta-based Stratus Property Group, according to county documents. Jeff Koon, a representative from Stratus Property Group said the company is working with stakeholders in the area and is looking forward to proceeding with the project.

“It’s good to see some reinvention of the area on the way,” Koon said. “We’re looking forward to that being kind of a connecting piece between existing properties.”

As a part of the approval, the company agreed to rent apartments at a rate affordable to residents earning between 80% and 120% of the Columbia area median income.

In exchange for the company’s $100 million investment, it will get a 50% property tax break for 15 years.

There have been other attempts to redevelop the site in the past, including a 2016 pitch to build a supermarket and apartments, but none have been unsuccessful. The site sits beside another notable vacant property, the former Kline Iron and Steel Co. property at the corner of Huger and Gervais streets, where multiple development proposals also have faltered over the years.

This story was originally published July 19, 2023, 10:28 AM.

HUGER, S.C. – Berkeley County Council and Sheriff Duane Lewis recognized a Huger couple for the role they played in helping law enforcement capture dangerous, FBI fugitive Michael Burham.

According to the FBI, Burham, 34, had been on the run for days following a spree of alleged crimes, which included a sexual assault in Jamestown, New York and the kidnapping of an elderly couple in Pennsylvania. He is also linked to a homicide case that occurred on May 11.

For four days, hundreds of law enforcement – federal and local – actively searched for Burham.

On May 24, 2023, Huger residents Anthony Phillips and Kirsten Kroover helped authorities apprehend Burham after they found him hiding behind their home on United Drive, Sheriff Lewis said at Monday night’s council meeting.

While checking their property and shed, the Huger couple said they discovered a pair of shoes near the well pump house that didn’t belong to them.

After their family dog started growling and barking, they went to investigate. That’s when they said they discovered Burham hiding behind their shed.

Burham reportedly told the couple that, “He didn’t want to hurt anyone and asked them to let him go” before grabbing his shoes and fleeing into the woods.

County officials said Groover immediately grabbed her phone and called 911 to report the encounter and provide as much information as possible to the dispatcher.

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“Through the media, we asked folks to please check their property to make sure their property was secure, and they did not see any suspicious activity. This particular couple actually did what we asked them to do. They went out, checked their property, and lo and behold, found the suspect behind their property, and had a little bit of a confrontation with him,” Sheriff Lewis said.

“The actions of Miss Kirsten Groover and Mr. Anthony Phillips is a true testament of their willingness to serve their community and fellow citizens of Berkeley County,” he continued.

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By spotting a simple pair of unfamiliar shoes, the pair helped end a massive manhunt and keep the community safe, county officials said.

At Monday night’s Berkeley County Council meeting, the couple was recognized for their heroic actions, receiving a special Civilian Service Award and a monetary reward. Along with council, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and an FBI representative presented the honors. The FBI also plans to recognize the pair at a later date.