Pest Control in North Charleston, SC

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – Hurricane Idalia produced bands of storms across South Carolina’s Lowcountry on Wednesday, with at least one tornado north of Charleston causing damage.

First responders in Berkeley County reported only minor injuries when a car was apparently sideswiped by a quick twister.

A video showed tropical-storm-force winds in the region associated with the heavy rainfall when the tornado formed, lifting the vehicle and smashing it into another.

The tornado was one of several reports of waterspouts and funnel clouds in South Carolina but was the only incident where a touchdown happened as of Wednesday afternoon.

CHARLESTON SLAMMED WITH STORM SURGE AS IDALIA CONTINUES POUNDING SOUTHEAST

The National Weather Service office in Charleston will be tasked with surveying the damage and determining the rating of the twister on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Hurricane Idalia produced at least one other tornado in Florida, but there was not any widespread damage reported associated with the vortex.

Tornadoes often happen during hurricanes

Tropical cyclones are known to produce tornadoes, especially in the northeast quadrant of the storm.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, shear is typically the greatest in this sector as the storm interacts with other weather features and the land. The tornadoes are usually weak and short-lived, which appears to be what happened in the Lowcountry.

IDALIA DIGS INLAND AS TROPICAL STORM, IMMERSING SOUTHEAST IN FLOODWATERS FOLLOWING HISTORIC FLORIDA LANDFALL

The threat of tornadoes, flooding and gusty winds is expected to continue through Thursday morning for the Carolinas as the center of Idalia pushes eastward off the coast.

Florida and Georgia were the hardest hit states by the former Category 4 hurricane. During the peak of the event, more than half a million customers in the two states were without electricity.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Idalia is expected to impact the Lowcountry with heavy rain, flooding, gusty winds, and a risk of isolated tornadoes late Tuesday night through Thursday morning.

While forecasters are watching the track very closely and monitoring potential impacts on our area, some events have announced cancellations and some government offices are closing in anticipation of the storm.

News 2 will continue to update this list.

City of Charleston offices, including all city recreation facilities and the City Gallery, will close at noon Wednesday.

City of Isle of Palms offices, including the recreation center, will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday. All recreation department programs and classes after 2 p.m. are canceled. Municipal Court is canceled on Wednesday.

City of North Charleston offices will close at noon Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

Town of Mount Pleasant offices, including Town Hall and all recreation facilities will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Charleston County Public Library branches and offices will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

Charleston County Parks, including facilities, will close at noon Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

Charleston County Government buildings will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed Thursday

Town of Summerville offices, including Town Hall offices, parks and recreation facilities, and municipal court, will be closed on Wednesday.

City of Goose Creek offices will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

Dorchester County Government offices, including county courts and parks, will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Public libraries in the county will also be closed on Wednesday.

Colleton County Government offices will close at noon Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

City of Walterboro offices will close at noon Wednesday.

Town of Edisto Beach offices will close at noon Wednesday.

Williamsburg County offices will close at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and remain closed Thursday.

Goose Creek VA Clinic will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and patients will be offered a virtual appointment, to relocate their appointment to North Charleston Clinic, or to reschedule for a future date. North Charleston VA Clinic and downtown Charleston VA Medical Center will close nonclinical services at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Georgetown County offices are open during normal business hours on Wednesday and will open at noon on Thursday. This excludes the landfill, which will open at 10 a.m. All recycling centers will open at noon.

Mount Pleasant Waterworks will close its operation center at noon Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday. Customers experiencing water or wastewater emergencies can call (843) 884-9626 for assistance.

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests recreation areas and offices, including campgrounds, rifle ranges, and OHV trails, will be closed on Wednesday. The Francis Marion Ranger District district office and the Forest Supervisor’s office in Columbia will also be closed Wednesday.

Charleston Water System will close at noon Wednesday and will remain closed Thursday.

West Ashley Farmer’s Market on Aug. 30 is canceled.

North Charleston Farmer’s Market on Aug. 31 is canceled.

The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office blood drive is postponed.

Boone Hall Plantation will be closed on Wednesday.

Congaree National Park and all visitor facilities, including Harry Hampton Visitor Center, will close at noon Wednesday. The Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds are closed to reservations through Thursday.

The South Carolina Aquarium will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Gibbes Museum of Art will close at noon Wednesday.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum will be closed to visitors Wednesday and Thursday.

The International African American Museum will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Carolina Ice Palace will close on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and reopen Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

School districts across coastal South Carolina are closely monitoring Idalia. You can find a full list of closings and schedule changes here.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Municipalities across the Lowcountry are offering sandbags to residents and businesses to help them prepare for any potential impacts from Hurricane Idalia.

The storm, which is expected to be a major hurricane when it strikes Florida’s west coast, is forecast to weaken before it reaches South Carolina on Wednesday.

Much of the area will see heavy rain, flooding, gusty winds, and a chance for isolated tornadoes.

Residents can find sandbag supplies where they live to help prevent damage associated with flooding and rising water during the storm.

City of Charleston

The city will make sandbags available in three different locations beginning Tuesday for residents who need them. Locations include:

Sandbag operations will take place between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There will be a limited supply of free sand and bags Residents should bring their own shovels to assemble the sandbags. Staff will be on-site for assistance.

City of North Charleston

North Charleston will begin sandbag operations on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Sandbag operations will be self-serve only.

Mount Pleasant

The Town of Mount Pleasant will offer sandbags starting Tuesday at noon. People should bring their own shovels.

Isle of Palms

Sand and sandbags will be available for Isle of Palms residents at no charge beginning Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Residents are responsible for filling their own sandbags.

Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is a limit of 10 per person.

Berkeley County

Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis at several sites in Berkeley County.

Additional locations may be announced as needed.

Dorchester County

The county will provide sand and bags at five locations; however, people should bring their own shovels. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per resident or business owner.

City of Georgetown

The City of Georgetown will begin sandbag distribution on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. There is a 10-bag limit per person.

Williamsburg County

Williamsburg County Public Works Department will be issuing six sandbags on a first come first serve basis. They will begin giving them out at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, until supplies last.

HOW TO PROPERLY FILL/PLACE SANDBAGS

Count on 2 for updates as additional sandbag locations are announced.

Facility will insource production of key security products and bring new jobs to the region

RESTON, Va., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE^® 500 science and technology leader, today announced plans to establish a new security systems manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. This will be the company's third security systems manufacturing location in the U.S., expanding its presence and support to customers. Leidos will invest $31.7 million in the new facility, creating up to 170 new jobs in the region over time.

"This facility brings more manufacturing back into the U.S. and expands Leidos' global security capabilities for the aviation and critical infrastructure markets," said Jim Moos, Leidos Civil Group president. "We're thrilled to expand into the North Charleston area and look forward to making a positive impact in the community."

The new facility will produce security systems for Leidos' Security Enterprise Solutions (SES) operation. SES offers a comprehensive suite of fully automated and integrated products for aviation, shipping ports, border crossings and critical infrastructure customers. These systems provide threat detection by screening baggage, cargo and people at checkpoints around the world.

"Leidos' $31.7 million investment in their new facility here in the Lowcountry will lead to significant job growth and economic development," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-1). "We congratulate them on their expanding operation and thank them for putting their faith in South Carolina."

Located in Ladson Industrial Park, the new 150,000-square-foot facility will enable Leidos to onshore more manufacturing increasing the company's critical capacity to support its growing customer base. The new plant will optimize manufacturing efficiency, quality and safety through application of best-in-class manufacturing processes. The facility is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2024.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500^® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 46,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

SOURCE Leidos

The North Charleston property known for years as the home of the Jenkins Orphanage is now zoned for commercial redevelopment, but it’s not about to be sold or otherwise redeveloped.

The oak-laden 47.3-acre site along the banks of Ashley River at 3923 Azalea Drive had been classified as a multifamily residential use ever since the recently renamed Jenkins Youth and Family Center was relocated from Franklin Street in downtown Charleston in 1937 after a fire.

Last week, the city approved a request to change the zoning to commercial development.

“We didn’t push for this,” said Henry Tisdale, chairman of the Jenkins board of directors. “They made us do it.”

The property includes an administration building, dormitory, warehouse, pavilion and training center. The rezoning was necessary after Jenkins began renting its outdoor spaces for private events, according to North Charleston City Council.

Tisdale said state money, donations and grants sustain operations. The minimal rental income generated from events supplement the main funding.

“We aren’t making a profit,” Tisdale said.

He said he wasn’t sure if the change was necessary. He also was worried the rezoning could jeopardize Jenkins’ nonprofit status, but city officials have assured him that it will not.

The Rev. Daniel Joseph Jenkins started the orphanage on the peninsula in 1891 as a boys-only home. Today, about 19 girls and young women between the ages of 11 and 21 reside on the Azalea Drive property, where a staff of about 10 includes care specialists and counselors. It previously had operated under the name Jenkins Institute.

In the bag

Passengers booked on some of the biggest airlines serving Charleston International now have another way to avoid long lines at the check-in counters.

The airport recently expanded its curbside baggage check-in program by adding a station on the second level of its five-tier parking deck in front of the terminal. Travelers do not pay a fee for the service.

Arriving passengers can now drop off their bags near the garage elevator as well as at two stations along the curb in front of the main terminal. The airport began offering the service with three curbside stations in the spring and moved one to the parking deck.

Workers with Bags Inc. will collect luggage and place it on an outside belt or take it inside to the appropriate counter.

“This enhances the overall passenger experience,” airport spokesman Spencer Pryor said. “Instead of getting into long lines inside the terminal, travelers now have an efficient way to manage their time and get through the screening and boarding process more easily.”

Seven of the 13 carriers that serve CHS have agreements with Orlando, Fla.-based Bags: Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit. United is expected to come onboard by Labor Day, according to Pryor.

The other six are not participating: Allegiant, Avelo, Breeze, Frontier, Silver and Sun Country.

Check this out

The role of the cashier is safe and secure at Trader Joe’s.

While most competitors now offer shoppers a self-checkout option, the quirky, popular supermarket chain with three South Carolina stores is shooting down rumors that it plans to join them.

“Oh, that’s a false. That’s a double false,” CEO Bryan Palbaum said during an appearance on the grocer’s latest in-house podcast released this month.

“Self-checkout is work. I don’t want that,” he added.

Jon Basalone, president, said the speculation is “as false as false can be, because we believe in people and we’re not trying to get rid of our crew members for efficiency’s sake. I don’t know what the reasons are people put self-checkout in.”

The two executives also dismissed speculation about setting up drive-thru operations at stores to serve coffee samples.

“Yeah, there’s probably plenty of room ... for a drive-thru,” Palbaum quipped, referring to the company’s famously cramped and usually crowded parking lots.

Based in Monrovia Calif, Trader Joe’s has grown to about 560 locations. It made its Palmetto State debut in Greenville in October 2010, and it expanded to the coast with a Mount Pleasant store the following year and a Columbia supermarket in 2013.

Tesla talent

The battery recycling firm founded by a former Tesla executive has poached another senior official from Elon Musk’s electric car company.

Redwood Materials, which is building a $3.5 billion plant in Berkeley County, has hired Colin Campbell as chief technology officer to help the company build a U.S.-based supply chain for the key minerals needed to produce batteries for electric vehicles.

Campbell previously was vice president for powertrain engineering at Tesla, where has spent the last 17 years working alongside Musk. In his new role, he will join JB Straubel, who founded Redwood in 2019.

“At Redwood, I will continue to work on electrification — but this time, ensuring broad EV and clean energy adoption by solving problems further upstream!” Campbell said in announcing the move on LinkedIn. “Redwood’s mission is to create a circular battery supply chain, localizing the current fragmented system by creating critical battery components at scale in the U.S. for the first time — and from an ever-increasing amount of recycled content.”

He isn’t the first senior executive that Straubel has recruited from his former employer. Kevin Kassekert, chief operating officer, previously was vice president of people and places at the Austin, Texas-based EV maker.

Straubel is said to remain on friendly terms with Musk, and he recently joined Tesla’s board of directors.

Reno, Nev.-based Redwood has said it plans to break ground on its Lowcountry site at Camp Hall Commerce Park by the end of the year. The Ridgeville operation will be built in steps, beginning with recycling and refining of materials with eventual downstream component manufacturing for the anode copper foil and cathode material used in EV batteries. Redwood plans to eventually employ 1,500 workers at the site.

Email alert

South Carolina lawyers are being spoofed — and not in the parody sense of the term.

The S.C. Supreme Court last week put members of the S.C. Bar on notice of bogus emails being circulated within the Palmetto State’s legal community.

The messages are designed to get the recipient’s attention by suggesting they’ve been suspended from practicing law for not meeting their continuing legal education requirements. An example showed a link purportedly to an official letter about the infraction.

“Please be advised spoof emails with a subject line of: “Compliance Notice: CLE suspension” are being sent to members of the South Carolina Bar and contain the Judicial Branch logo and seal,” the high court warned Aug. 25. “The messages claim they are from ‘SC Court Administration.’ This is a scam message. Should you receive one of these emails, please do not click any links contained therein.”