CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina political leaders are expressing their condolences Sunday night after learning of the death of former state lawmaker and pastor McKinley Washington Jr.

Washington Jr. served as a state senator for District 45, which includes Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties from 1991-1999. Before that, he served House District 116, Charleston County, from 1975-1990.

“Saddened to hear about the passing of Senator McKinley Washington,” South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham tweeted. “A legend of the Sea Islands and a pioneer in so many ways. I had the pleasure of spending time with he and Beulah just a few weeks ago. We are all better off because of his service and leadership to our state.”

Saddened to hear about the passing of Senator McKinley Washington. A legend of the Sea Islands and a pioneer in so many ways. I had the pleasure of spending time with he and Beulah just a few weeks ago. We are all better off because of his service and leadership to our state. pic.twitter.com/8EkZUcNyxe

— Joe Cunningham (@JoeCunninghamSC) July 24, 2022

State Sen. Marlon Kimson (D-Charleston) called Washington “a living sermon.”

“I’d rather see as a sermon than to hear one any day,” he posted on Twitter. “The Rev. McKinley Washington was a living sermon. He walked with us and showed us the way. While this lion of the Senate is known for his booming voice, he also listened and mentored. SC is far better off because he lived.”

I’d rather see as a sermon than to hear one any day. Rev. McKinley Washington (far right) was a living sermon.He walked with us and showed us the way. While this lion of the Senate is known for his booming voice,he also listened and mentored. SC is far better off because he lived pic.twitter.com/Rn3HsShfIZ

— Sen. Marlon Kimpson (@KimpsonForSC) July 25, 2022

In a 2012 resolution at the statehouse, Washington Jr. was honored after retiring as the pastor of Edisto Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island. He served the church for 50 years.

“So sorry to hear about former Senator McKinley Washington’s transition,” Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) tweeted. “A true public servant. My deepest sympathies to the family.”

Washington, who lived in Ravenel, served as a chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and as vice chair of the Charleston County Legislative Delegations. While in office, he served on numerous committees including the House Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Tourism and Trade, the Medical Affairs, Finance, Education and Rules Committees.

He was the founder of the Edisto Branch of the NAACP and the St. Paul Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, according to his biography at the state government website.

“He was a great Senator and at one time a well-known humble Pastor of Edisto Presbyterian church, but most of all he was a good friend and someone I could go to for political advice, this is a great lost for all of South Carolina,” Rep. Wendell Gilliard, (D-Charleston) said.

He and his wife, Beulah, had two children, Katrina and Michael.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – SHL Medical, a world-leading provider of drug delivery solutions, today announced plans to establish operations in Charleston County. The company’s initial $90 million investment will create an estimated 165 new jobs.

Headquartered in Switzerland, SHL Medical designs, develops and manufactures drug delivery solutions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies around the world. With years of experience, the company uses top-notch technology to create autoinjectors, pen injectors and innovative specialty delivery solutions that allow patients to self-inject at home. The company also offers contract manufacturing and engineering services for products such as wafer testing equipment, laboratory handling equipment, neurosurgical devices and industrial equipment.

Located at 7791 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, SHL Medical’s Charleston County operations will expand the company’s global footprint to meet growing demand for its products to support more customers.

Operations are expected to launch by the second quarter of 2024. Individuals interested in joining the SHL Medical team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $250,000 Set-Aside grant to Charleston County to assist with costs related to the project.

QUOTES

"I am delighted to announce SHL’s expansion into South Carolina. Our new U.S. site in North Charleston will be a state-of-the-art facility that will support our customers further with our end-to-end capabilities, providing high-quality drug delivery systems to the end users – patients around the world. This new facility brings us closer to our customers and reduces the risk of supply chain disturbances. Furthermore, it will support our sustainability goals by lessening global shipping distances. I want to acknowledge the support that we have received from the state and county levels for this project." -SHL Medical Chairman and CEO Ulrich Faessler

“We are proud to welcome SHL Medical to South Carolina. Not only will they contribute to Charleston County’s economic development, but also to the booming life sciences industry of the state. We welcome their $90 million investment and the 165 new jobs they will create.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are excited to see South Carolina’s life sciences industry continue to expand as we add SHL Medical to the list of companies operating within our state. More and more international medical companies are deciding to locate in South Carolina because of our business-friendly environment and talented workforce. We congratulate SHL Medical and look forward to a strong partnership for many years to come.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“When an international company like SHL Medical invests in Charleston County, it is a testament to our people and community. We have the proven workforce and business-friendly climate that are attractive to life-science companies.” -Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor

“We applaud SHL Medical for choosing the Charleston region to expand its U.S. operations. SHL Medical will bring the innovation and sustainability to Charleston County that they are known for internationally, as well as highly skilled jobs, further advancing our competitiveness in life sciences.” -Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board Chairman Mike Fuller

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston Waterkeeper says almost half of their testing sites in area waterways are not safe for swimming following recent storms and flooding throughout the Lowcountry.

After a week of heavy rain and flooding, Charleston Waterkeeper Andrew Wunderley said nine of their testing sites have tested above state limits for bacteria levels, including Filbin Creek in North Charleston, which tested nine times above the state standard.

“What we’re talking about with high bacteria levels are your risk of exposure to pathogens that can get you sick,” Wunderley said.

The organization released its weekly testing data Friday morning and said the results were striking.

Along with Filbin Creek, all of Shem Creek and Brittlebank Park all showed high bacteria levels, such as tuberculosis, cholera and staph.

Wunderley said the recent storms helped these levels rise to some of the highest they have been this summer.

“All of our stormwater and our floodwater drains away into a creek like Shem Creek or just like Filbin Creek,” he said. “Everything that’s on the ground goes along with it, so dog waste, wildlife waste, leaking septic tanks, overflowing sewers.”

Mount Pleasant resident Cory Sieburg said he will not be going into the water this weekend because of the bacteria levels. He pointed out a childhood incident that made him aware of water pollution levels.

“We moved from Chicago a few months ago, and Lake Michigan is kind of a dump, so a lot of the sewage is in there,” Sieburg recalled. “As a kid, I would go swimming in the water not knowing about any sort of high bacteria, and then, when I get home, I start throwing up, and it wasn’t a good time.”

Wunderley recommends people avoid these creeks and rivers for two days following a rainstorm. If they do go, he said to wash up and keep the water out of their mouth, nose and eyes.

“We see a real strong relationship between rainfall and tide stage and water quality,” Wunderley said, “and so outgoing tide, a lot of rain, that’s a recipe for very high pollution, very high bacteria in your creeks and rivers.”

Charleston Waterkeeper has put out a map of the areas deemed unsafe for swimming.

Wunderley also said people can help control bacteria levels by picking up their dog’s waste and regularly inspecting their septic tanks.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

We’re taking summer to new heights with nine rooftop bars + restaurants around Charleston. From fine dining to boisterous brews, everything tastes better with a view of the Holy City skyline. Just don’t be surprised if you never want to come down.

The Watch Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits, The Restoration Hotel, 75 Wentworth St.

This farm–to–table rooftop restaurant offers Southern dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We recommend The Watch Burger with a glass of white wine to toast the view.

Citrus Club, The Dewberry Charleston, 334 Meeting St.

Welcome to the highest rooftop in Charleston. Explore steepled city views atop the Dewberry’s eigth floor terrace and enjoy a variety of cocktails including early bird + zero proof, plus light bites.

Kick back at this local spot with a history dating back to the 1930s. Nowadays, you can feast on pub fare + sip specialty cocktails in the rooftop garden.

Pavilion Bar, Market Pavilion Hotel, 225 E. Bay St.

Grab a drink and lounge by Charleston’s only rooftop cascading pool. Who doesn’t love a Skyline Martini with their skyline view?

Élevé Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge, 55 Wentworth St.

Get lost in the garden atop the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Élevé has you covered from brunch to dinner with vibrant cuisine and specialty cocktails.

Fiat Lux, Hotel Bennett, 404 King St.

Sip a seasonal cocktail + munch on some duck fat fries while enjoying this panoramic view of the Holy City skyline. We’ve got our eyes on the Not Your Mom’s Mangorita.

Henry’s, 54 N. Market St.

We have the perfect night planned for you. Snag dinner on the canopied upper deck, finish by savoring a beer in a rocking chair on the porch, then catch live entertainment at Henry’s Music Hall.

It’s as the name says: This is the rooftop, voted “Best Rooftop Bar” by Charleston City Paper since 2007. Take your friends to enjoy summer drinks, bites like the margherita flatbread, and views for miles.

Get boisterous with beers on tap on Revelry’s rooftop. We love the $20 beer bucket deals + craft beer, paired with a good ‘ole sushi burrito. We’d recommend enjoying it fried.

We’re big fans of a rooftop bar in the Holy City — especially during the summer. There’s really no better place to enjoy good weather, great company, and scenic views. Hope you found a new spot to enjoy this summer + feel free to share your favorite with us.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - After a 30-minute rain delay to start the night, the Charleston RiverDogs were defeated 14-4 by the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Saturday in front of a crowd 3,223 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs pitching staff surrendered 15 hits, which was a season-high in a game this season.

Myrtle Beach 14, Charleston 4: July 23, 2022

Click here for the box score Myrtle Beach (R-H-E): 14-15-0 Charleston (R-H-E): 4-6-2 Win: Gallardo (6-6) Loss: Peoples (3-4) Save: HR: Myrtle Beach: Wetzel 2 (7, 6th inning, 1 on base, 8, 9th inning, 2 on base) HR: Charleston: Allen (2, 3rd inning, 0 on base)

The Pelicans (13-10, 60-29) got on the board first in the top of the second inning, scoring three runs and sending eight men to the plate. RHP Ben Peoples allowed three straight hits to start the inning, including an RBI single from Jacob Wetzel to make it 1-0. A few pitches later, Ezequiel Pagan scored on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Scott McKeon knocked in a run with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

The RiverDogs (11-11, 57-31) answered in the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run from Logan Allen to make it 3-1.The Pelicans came right back with three runs of their own in the top of the fourth inning. Josue Huma and Alejandro Rivero each reached to start the inning with back-to-back singles. Then, James Triantos hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1. Back-to-back RBI singles from Kevin Alacantara and Pagan made it 6-1 in favor of the Pelicans.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the RiverDogs cut the lead to 7-3 with three straight hits. Allen got the rally started with a one-out double and scored on an RBI single from Jelfry Marte. After an Angel Galarraga base hit got Marte to third, Shane Sasaki hit a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to four.The Pelicans immediately answered with two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh. In the sixth inning, Pagan hit a double, and Wetzel hit a two-run home run off of LHP Alex Ayala Jr. to make it 9-3. In the seventh, two walks and a hit-by-pitch led to the 10th run of the game being scored by the Pelicans, as Triantos knocked in Huma to make it 10-3.

The RiverDogs cut the deficit to six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Sasaki led off the inning with a single. A few batters later, Ryan Spikes knocked him in with an RBI single to make it 10-4.The Pelicans were not done yet, as they closed out the night by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning off of RHP Juan Rivera. Two walks, an error, and Wetzel’s second home run of the game closed out the Pelicans a 14-4 win.

RHP Ben Peoples (3-4) took the loss in this game for the RiverDogs, going 1.2 innings and giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two. Richard Gallardo (6-6) picked up the win for the Pelicans. He went 5.0 innings and gave up three runs on four hits, walked one and struck out five.

Ballpark Fun: The RiverDogs invited all of the fans in attendance to participate in a post-game UFO launch on UFO night. Following the game, hundreds of light-up UFOs were sent airborne in unison beneath the night sky at The Joe, resulting in a unique visual. Many of the night’s promotions focused on extraterrestrial activities and peanuts as the RiverDogs also took the field as their alternate identity, the Charleston Boiled Peanuts, in partnership with Luray Peanut Company.

The rubber game of this series will be tomorrow at 5:05 p.m. as the RiverDogs look to take the series. They will send RHP Daiveyon Whittle (0-4, 4.25) to the mound to take on RHP Tyler Santana (7-0, 2.38) for the Pelicans.Tomorrow will be another MUSC Health Family Sunday. After the game, kids will be able to run the bases. It will also be a Plant Propagation Party, as fans will receive a pot, soil and a house plant clipping to take home with them with the opportunity to watch their plant grow.

Single-game tickets are available for all RiverDogs home games at riverdogs.com RiverDogs season tickets, flexible ticket plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are available at //riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS).

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.