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COLUMBIA — The budget compromise legislators agreed to June 17 provides every K-12 teacher at least a $1,000 pay hike, all state employees a 2½ percent raise, and law enforcement officers an additional boost.

A joint House-Senate panel voted unanimously to advance the $10.7 billion spending package for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The full Legislature returns for a special session next week to approve the deal and send it to Gov. Henry McMaster.

“This is a great budget that focuses on teachers and education, workforce training, infrastructure and law enforcement,” House Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said. “There’s a real concentration on the core functions of government and there are tremendous investments in these areas.”

The budget deal puts $100 million toward school construction in poor, rural areas that lack the ability to pay for it through local property taxes; $15 million of that can be used to incentivize the merging of tiny districts. And it spends $34 million to expand full-day, state-paid kindergarten for poor 4-year-olds throughout the state.

The $1,000-per-teacher salary boost, costing $72 million, is in addition to the normal pay bump teachers receive for an additional year of experience. The budget covers those so-called step increases with a $65 million increase in per-pupil funding. However, the state stops paying for those steps, which average 2 percent, at 23 years in the classroom.

Bus drivers should also see a raise, though likely minimal. The budget spends $4.2 million for a 5 percent boost in what the state sends school districts for drivers’ minimum hourly pay, which ranges this school year from $7.85 to $11.55. What bus drivers actually make depends on how much districts add with local property taxes.

Other increases for K-12 public schools include $114 million for instructional materials, to ensure the textbooks and software teachers use actually align with what they’re supposed to be teaching. And it spends an additional $34 million on public charter schools to cover increased enrollment and the opening of new schools.

Public colleges collectively get an additional $40 million as a way to ensure they don’t increase tuition.

That’s in addition to more than $500 million in one-time cash split between universities, two-year colleges and technical schools for general maintenance and renovations.

“You could almost call it an education budget, there were so many things we did for education this year,” Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said. “This budget will continue to move our state forward.”

As for state employee raises, the budget negotiators split the difference between the House and Senate versions. The House plan passed earlier this month provided a 3 percent cost-of-living raise across all state agencies, while the Senate proposal provided 2 percent. So they agreed to spend $60 million on a 2½ percent raise for all employees.

State law enforcement agencies, which are struggling to keep officers and fill vacancies, will receive millions more for bigger pay increases aimed at boosting their ranks.

Senators agreed to spend up to $23.25 million to buy 23 acres on James Island that has operated as a Catholic convent for decades. The House added that spending earlier this month after lawmakers learned about the opportunity to buy the waterfront property and preserve it for generations to come.

The plan also spends $200 million to pay for improvements at the Port of Charleston, as a first of a multi-phase funding effort.

In February, the state Senate approved a proposal to borrow $550 million toward the project in North Charleston. But that idea went nowhere in the House, after it became clear the state’s economy was far rosier than anticipated.

“We paid cash on the port rather than use a bond bill,” Smith said. “Fortunately, our revenues allowed us to make an investment in the port, which is the economic engine of the state.”

Lowcountry growers can learn the newest ideas and recommendations for successfully growing vegetables during the 2021 Field Day at Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center (REC) slated for June 17.

The field day will be held at the at the Coastal REC, 2865 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414 and highlights research conducted by Clemson investigators and scientists with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). There is no charge to attend this field day, but space is limited. For reservations, email Michelle Crosby at [email protected] or obtain tickets at eventbrite.com/e/2021-coastal-research-and-education-center-field-day-tickets-156113881823.

The day kicks off with registration at 8:30 a.m. Following registration, guests will board trailers to ride to field presentations at 9 a.m. This event is scheduled to end at 12 p.m. Continuing certification credits for pesticide applicator recertification will be offered.

Field presentations include a discussion by Tony Keinath, research and Cooperative Extension Service vegetable pathologist, on how planting date and fungicides can improve management of downy mildew on cucumber. Keinath also will explain how newly released seedless watermelon cultivars differ in susceptibility to Fusarium wilt and how cultivars of beet greens differ in susceptibility to Phoma and Cercospora leaf spots.

Other presentations include one by Sean Toporek, graduate research assistant, addressing grafting on cantaloupe to control downy mildew. Brain Ward, organic vegetable specialist, will give an update on watermelon grafting and discuss current trends in industrial hemp; and Patrick Wechter, USDA-ARS research plant pathologist, will talk about graft incompatibility in muskmelon using “Carolina Strongback” rootstock.

Sandra Branham assistant professor of vegetable breeding and genetics, will discuss a green bean variety trial being conducted under both ideal and heat-stressed conditions; Gursewak Singh, a graduate research assistant, will talk about his cover crop anaerobic soil disinfestation study “Using cover crops to facilitate ASD;” and Matthew Cutulle, weed scientist, will discuss herbicide concepts in tomato and other vegetable herbicide issues, such as environmental impacts on herbicide carryover, injury and more.

Field presentations also will include a discussion about phytophthora crown and root rot resistant rootstock for grafting peppers by Richard Hassell, vegetable physiologist and Extension vegetable specialist. Scott Graule, director of James Island Outreach, will summarize how vegetable donations from the REC have benefited the community.

Source: Clemson University, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

Softball players from Berkeley, Hanahan and Timberland high schools landed all-state honors by the S.C. Coaches Association of Women’s Sports.

All three teams captured region titles this spring.

As press time, the Stags held a 1-0 lead in a best-of-three series against Ashley Ridge in the Lower State championship series.

The Lower State winner plays the winner of the Upper State series – Fort Mill or Byrnes – for the Class AAAAA title. That series is scheduled for June 1, 3 and 5. The Lower State winner hosts Game 1 and the Upper State winner hosts Game 2. Game 3 would be at a neutral site.

Berkeley’s Class AAAAA all-state selections are junior P/OF Gracie DeCuir, sophomore P/OF Abby Prince and senior IF Jersey Silver.

Hanahan’s picks in Class AAA are senior IF Brooke Patterson and sophomore IF Brooke Jones. The Hawkettes advanced to a postseason district championship game before ending the season there.

In Class AA, Timberland’s all-state selections are sophomore OF Emily Dawson, junior C Abbi Harrawood and senior IF Hayley Gaskins. The Wolves finished the season in the district tournament.

Berkeley 6, Ashley Ridge 2

Southpaw Abby Prince pitched a three-hitter and drove in two runs at the plate to power Berkeley to a 6-2 victory over visiting Ashley Ridge in the opening game of the Class AAAAA Lower State championship series in softball on May 24.

Prince fanned five batters and allowed one earned run while infielders Jersey Silver and Hayden Richberg each collected two hits and scored twice for Berkeley (28-3).

The Stags trailed 1-0 before scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Ashley Ridge plated an unearned run in the top of the sixth to pull within 3-2 but Berkeley broke it open in the bottom of the frame.

Silver and Prince knocked in runs with singles and Savannah Ballentine drew a walk with the bases loaded for the Stags.

Former Knight earns academic honor

Former Stratford High School baseball standout Dylan Stewart, now a freshman second baseman for the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, received all-academic honors by the Big South Conference as part of the conference’s annual baseball awards.

Stewart posted a 3.90 grade-point average while majoring in accounting. He saw action in 36 games, drawing 29 starts.

Stewart claimed Big South Freshman of the Week recognition following the Bucs’ early season series win over Longwood after belting out a pair of triples to help CSU secure the win over the Lancers.

He finished tied atop the conference leaderboard in triples with four on the season while hitting his first home run of the year against USC Upstate on April 17.

Stewart finished with a .253 batting average and 12 RBIs.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — DHEC has announced more upcoming covid-19 clinics and testing opportunities set up for the coming days.

Events are planned in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Allendale, Bamberg, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Monday June 21, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Goose Creek Health Center, 106 Westview Dr., Goose Creek

Monday June 21, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Calhoun County Health and Human, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews

Tuesday June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Charleston First Assembly, 2957 Savannah Highway, Charleston

Tuesday June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Hampton County Health Department, 531 West Carolina Avenue, Varnville

Wednesday June 23, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Bamberg County Health Department, 370 Log Branch Road, Bamberg

Wednesday June 23, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Brewlab, 2200 Heriot Street, Charleston

Thursday June 24, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Orangeburg County Health Department, 1550 Carolina Avenue, Orangeburg

Friday June 25, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Mt. Pleasant Health Clinic, 1189 Sweetgrass Basket Parkway- Suite 100, Mt. Pleasant

Friday June 25, 10:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Bluffton Health Clinic, 4819 Bluffton Parkway- Suite 132, Bluffton, SC

Friday June 25, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cooper River Brewing, 2201 Mechanic Street B, Charleston

Friday June 25, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Low Tide Brewing, 2863 Maybank Highway, Johns Island

Community Partner Vaccine Clinics

Some non-DHEC vaccine providers may ask for your insurance information or an identification card, but you are not required to provide these in order to receive your vaccine and cannot be turned away. To make your appointment with a non-DHEC clinic, register online with the provider or call the provider directly.

Monday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Senior Recreation and Leisure Center, 220 Park Street, Neeses

Monday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1785 Amelia Street, Orangeburg

Tuesday, June 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Orangeburg City Gym, 410 Broughton Street, Orangeburg

Tuesday, June 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 678 Olive Drive, Cordova

Wednesday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Denmark Train Depot, 12 Baruch Street, Denmark

Wednesday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Holly Hill Depot, 8603 Old State Road, Holly Hill

Thursday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 350 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg

Thursday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Holly Hill Depot, 8603 Old State Road, Holly Hill

Friday, June 25, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 8502 North Road, North

Friday, June 25, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Union Baptist Church, 16494 Ehrhardt Road, Bamberg

Saturday, June 26, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Family Health Centers, Inc., Ness Sports Complex, 381 Rhoad Park Street, Bamberg

Free COVID-19 Testing

DHEC-sponsored testing is free and pain-free (oral or nasal swab). Find a free DHEC testing location near you at: scdhec.gov/gettested. Information for non-DHEC testing opportunities from community partners is available here: scdhec.gov/covid19testing.

There continues to be a high rate of COVID-19 disease transmission in communities across our state, according to DHEC. The CDC currently recommends these individuals to get tested for COVID-19.

People who have symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.

Most people who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.

oFully vaccinated people with no COVID-19 symptoms do not need to be tested following an exposure to someone with COVID-19.

oPeople who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not need to get tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop new symptoms.

People who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19, such as travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor settings.

People who have been asked or referred to get tested by their healthcare provider.

Most current vaccine clinic information: scdhec.gov/vaxlocator

Most current testing site information: scdhec.gov/findatest

The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are currently available for people 18 and older, and the Pfizer vaccine is for ages 12 and up.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free. You won't pay deductibles, co-insurance, or co-payments. DHEC says walk-ins are welcome at vaccine events. Appointments can also be made by calling 866-365-8110.

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Johns Island residents say they are concerned about a shortcut people have been taking on their way to Kiawah Island.

Ida Meza has lived in the neighborhood for about three years. “I moved here May 25 of 2018, it’s a wonderful neighborhood. I love it here,” she said.

There’s just one problem – people who drive through the neighborhood on their way to Kiawah Island.

Residents say Google Maps and Waze are routing people through the Cedar Springs neighborhood – taking them from Maybank Highway onto Walter, rather than driving down the road where Maybank runs into Bohicket.

“It’s been an issue since the day I moved in,” said Meza. “People pass you aggressively.”

She is asking the neighborhood not to be used as a cut-through. “All we’re asking as residents of the neighborhood is that it not be a cut through, and not to be for big local trucks to come through there unless they are delivering to us, of course.”

Meza said transfer trucks and sod trucks coming through often get stuck at the round-a-bout. “It causes issues, it causes us not to be able to get out of the neighborhood.”

Residents have tried taking steps to be heard and have passed around a petition calling for more traffic calming measures.

“We understand we don’t qualify for speed humps because it has to be 25 mph or less, but no thru truck signs would be nice. A few more speed limit signs,” said Meza. “Charleston County has been wonderful with doing speed stops; we appreciate that, but the second they leave the behavior returns, of course.”

Residents have also contacted folks at both Google and Waze. “We’re trying to remove us as a cut-thru at this point. We have not heard anything back.”

Meza went on to say, “we want to be able to walk our dogs, get our mail, and pull into our driveway safely without the risk of being harmed by someone who is trying to get to their destination one or two minutes faster.”

She believes neighbors have been working on a fix for this problem since 2006.