How Tropical Storm Colin snuck up on SC + Historic landmarks that might be torn down
Happy Friday! It’s Chase Karacostas.
I learned everything I know about wine from my faux-sommelier ex-boyfriend and my former downstairs neighbor. But this week, The Herald’s John Marks taught me something I can share with friends who struggle with the fruit of the vine — a solution to wine hangovers. Turns out, all it takes (according to Indian Land winemaker Mary Anna Ossa) is creating an organic wine free of the tannins, sulfites and sugars typically added that contributes to those next-day headaches.
The more you know.
Here’s what else happened this week.
1. How did Tropical Storm Colin sneak up on national weather forecasters in the Carolinas?
I woke up to my Saturday shift for The Sun News last weekend to a dozen messages and texts about Tropical Storm Colin floating on Myrtle Beach’s doorstep.
I thought, tropical storm who? Generally, we get warnings about such things. Days of headlines and heads ups from local meteorologists and the National Weather Service. None of that happened here because Colin had snuck up on everyone, turning literally overnight from a raucous collection of oceanic thunderstorms into a minor tropical cyclone with winds of roughly 40 mph and gusts of up to 60.
How did this happen? How did Tropical Storm Colin show up with almost no warning whatsoever?
The National Weather Service told me it knew the storm system existed for a few days, but it was so weak that the National Hurricane Center didn’t classify it as a named storm until early Saturday morning. And, the storm stayed so weak that it began dissipating less than eight hours after getting named.
2. Protecting South Carolina’s landmarks
Beaufort’s 126-year-old Grand Army of the Republic Hall — a nationally recognized building and one of two GAR halls built by Black Civil War veterans still standing in the country — is no longer sinking, thanks to a $125,000 restoration ensuring the gathering spot with deep roots in the community will remain upright, The Island Packet’s Karl Puckett reports.
Beaufort’s GAR Hall has many purposes over the decades but began as a fraternal organization for Black veterans of the Civil War and its history remains a cornerstone.
Not all South Carolina landmarks are getting the same kind of attention as GAR Hall, however.
A 180-year-old home in Lake Wylie, known as the “Bigger” house, is currently for sale as commercial real estate for $1.6 million. Joy Bigger Sanderson, the great-granddaughter of James Bigger III, the home’s original builder, placed a bid of $1.2 million for the house to save it from potential demolition but later had to withdraw her offer.
And in Port Royal, two large live oak trees stand in the way of a small development in a downtown neighborhood, The Island Packet’s Karl Puckett reports. Their possible removal prompted protests from residents and a special meeting of the Town Council to discuss their fate.
3. New rules in North Myrtle Beach met with frustration, hopelessness and a lawsuit
This summer, vacationing in North Myrtle Beach sure looks a lot different.
The city banned plastic bags (for a moment), gave itself a monopoly on selling beach umbrellas and chairs on the sand, likely killing a local business, and began enforcing a new noise ordinance it passed last year, The Sun News’ Adam Benson reports.
All three efforts, in one way or another, were met with stiff opposition and frustration.
After protest from one of the town’s most prominent grocers, Boulineau’s, the city gave businesses a slight reprieve, allowing them to switch to thicker, “reusable” plastic bags.
The city also banned private companies from selling beach gear on, well, the beach, unless they have express permission from the city to do so. North Myrtle Beach said it did this to protect revenue that pays for lifeguards and beach patrols. However, the new monopoly could kill the locally-owned Cherry Grove Beach Gear if an exception isn’t made.
Finally, the owner of the popular Sky Bar in North Myrtle Beach sued the city, alleging its “vague” ban on playing “crude” music is a violation of the First Amendment.
The Sun News’ Caroline Williamson wrote about how all these changes will affect travelers. Read her story here.
An update on the failed Panthers HQ scandal
The Carolina Panthers’ decision to abandon building its new headquarters in Rock Hill has begun to have effects beyond the loss of future economic gains. Several weeks ago, the company the Panthers created to run the project filed for bankruptcy.
Creditors are owed as much as $90 million related to the failed project, but their lawyer now says they might not get their money back. Subcontractors also spoke of how the project was quickly becoming a “financial loser.”
One company, SteelFab, told a federal bankruptcy court it is owed $4.6 million for work already performed. The company is unsure if it’ll ever get paid.
This week, the judge in charge of the case approved a $20 million loan between two companies owned by the Teppers, the family that owns the Panthers, to manage the bankruptcy. However, investors and companies like Steelfab that are owed money for the project might not see a dime from that loan.
What I’m Reading
Nine million dollars the state previously allocated to fund an expansion to the beleaguered Columbia Convention Center was diverted to three other projects in the city, The State’s Morgan Huges reports.
Former Horry County Council chair Mark Lazarus has called for a delay in certifying his opponent, incumbent Johnny Gardner, as the winner, citing problems with mailed absentee ballots that he said could turn the election in his favor. Lazarus lost by just 260 votes, The Sun News’ Adam Benson reports.
A new study by the University of South Carolina reveals how much the Palmetto State relies on the military to support its economy. The State’s Patrick McCreless wrote about how the $34 billion in economic activity created by the military’s presence helps South Carolina.
That’s all for today. If you don’t already, subscribe to The State here. If you’re already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to get connected.
Stay updated with us at thestate.com, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram to see more from us. Thanks for reading!
Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign up here.
