by Bryce Jacquot
(WCIV) — The North Charleston Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday
A police report states an officer was called to Rolling Fork Road at around 1:17 a.m
in reference to someone beating on windows and asking for help
The officer said he found a man lying on his stomach in the entranceway to one of the units on top of a large amount of blood
READ MORE | "2nd suspect arrested in Johnson Street shooting that left 1 dead: CPD"
The report states the officer began rendering aid before EMS arrived
after which they took over the medical aid
Police said no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing
The coroner's office has not yet identified the victim
Gavin McIntyre is a photojournalist at The Post and Courier capturing powerful images that convey compelling stories
Cakette Bakeshop is now open in North Charleston
Owner Courtney Colangelo grabs a brown butter chocolate chip cookie for a customer at Cakette Bakeshop
Owner Courtney Colangelo checks her phone while working at Cakette Bakeshop
A variety of pastries are available at Cakette Bakeshop
Owner Courtney Colangelo (left) talks to Aly Stano about a recipe at Cakette Bakeshop
Slices of vegan chocolate strawberry cake are available at Cakette Bakeshop
Owner Courtney Colangelo makes coffee for a customer at Cakette Bakeshop
Cold brew and hot coffee is available at Cakette Bakeshop
Owner Courtney Colangelo (left) talks to Haley Phillips before she leaves with pastries at Cakette Bakeshop
An outdoor patio is open to customers at Cakette Bakeshop
Women owned made goods are available to purchase at Cakette Bakeshop
Cakette Bakeshop is now open in Park Circle serving up confectionery treats and savory snacks
Gluten free and vegan items make regular appearances on the ever-changing menu
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by Abigail Quinn
(WCIV) — A man has been arrested in connection to a kidnapping incident that occurred over the weekend
according to the North Charleston Police Department
Erick Deontray Rivers was charged with assault and battery in the 1st degree
possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime
possession of stolen property and felon in possession
The incident report from the North Charleston Police Department states that Rivers was observed driving suspiciously in the area of Helm Avenue
Reportedly Rivers was observed pulling into a church parking lot and after a period of non-suspicious activity
READ MORE | Inmate's escape attempt at L.C. Knight Detention Center under investigation
a call came in about a male needing help due to being assaulted
Further investigation showed that the victim had been taken from a Stay Inn Express Sunday morning and was pistol whipped
The victim reportedly stated that Rivers and one other person became spooked by the pursuing officers and fled on foot
Rivers and one other suspect were arrested without incident
and during a search a black handgun was located and confirmed as reported stolen
Rivers was detained at Al Cannon Detection Center pending a bond hearing
Chelsea Grinstead is a South Carolina native and a reporter for The Post and Courier covering arts
As a previous contributing editor at Charleston City Paper
she spotlighted the diverse voices of the local music scene.
As soon as you step inside Cakette Bakeshop in North Charleston
you're wrapped in the cozy scent of freshly baked focaccia and warm cinnamon buns
The newly opened “neighborhood pastry dealer” offers a tempting lineup of confectionery treats and savory snacks baked fresh by owner Courtney Culver Colangelo
and of course there are goods with all the gluten
“I’ve had a lot of folks rave about the vegan cinnamon buns I make
and we also have a gluten free and vegan banana muffin that has a little bit of a cult following now,” Colangelo told The Post and Courier
The little pink bakery is a 400-square-foot gem, nestled on the corner of Durant Avenue and Simms Street in the heart of Park Circle
the shop has a “tiny treasure trove of curated retail” for a touch of artful whimsy
“As an artist with a deep appreciation for illustration
design and artisan-made goods,” Colangelo said
“I felt called to include a curated retail section in the shop
It became just as much about building relationships with fellow makers — mostly women-owned brands — and giving them a platform
as it was about sharing my own creations.”
the itty bitty bakeshop is coming into its own
“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “I’m so thankful for my Park Circle community
Each weekend we are busier and busier and plan to expand our hours and days open as we grow our team.”
She started what would become Cakette in her kitchen two years ago while she was home with her newborn son navigating postpartum life
She lost her professional baking job in Atlanta due to the pandemic
and she and her husband moved back to Charleston to be closer to family
What began as a tiny mobile pop-up quickly gained momentum
she found herself in need of a dedicated kitchen space beyond her home kitchen
“Cakette is inspired by so many experiences throughout my life — baking
“I always knew that if I opened a brick-and-mortar shop
it had to reflect more of who I am beyond just cakes and pastries.”
Cakette Bakeshop is open from 7-11 a.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit @cakettebakeshop on Instagram
(WCIV) — The North Charleston High School performed a full three-act play for the first time in 20 years Saturday
"We know this is something we can do," said T'mani Woodward
the North Charleston High School theatre teacher
"I've been in theatre my whole life
and I wanted to share that experience with these students."
To produce a show of this magnitude for a school which had not seen theatre for decades was no small task
everything had to start from the ground up
"Dressings rooms were doubling as storage space for desks and chairs
so I had to advocate for myself and my students," said Woodward
"We have had faculty working here for 15 years and they didn't know that there was even a stage back here."
The students who performed in the play stepped onto the stage knowing it had not been done for generations at the high school
"My first time doing this was my first time acting ever," said actor Samantha Williams
"But getting on stage and seeing all the work you put in pay off
The performers remarked that the student body enjoyed the performances
"We had to teach all the students proper theatre etiquette," said Woodward
"But they loved the performances and they were shocked by a lot of what happened on stage."
"They all complimented us." said Williams
"They said this play was actually cool and they didn't expect the play to be this cool
They all thought plays would be just boring."
North Charleston High School does not have anymore plays planned as of now
as she plans on taking the performances up a notch
Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInNORTH CHARLESTON
(WCSC) - The North Charleston city councilmen who pleaded guilty to corruption charges are still costing the taxpayers money even after giving up their positions
A special election to replace Jerome Heyward and Sandino Moses is just about to get underway with early voting starting on May 12
Heyward and Moses vacated their seats after they pleaded guilty to charges that stemmed from a federal corruption investigation
A third city council member, Mike Brown, has been suspended in connection with that same FBI corruption investigation. Brown has pleaded not guilty and will remain suspended pending the outcome of his case
READ MORE: ‘Profound betrayal’: 8 charged in North Charleston corruption investigation
There are 15 candidates vying for the two seats in the special election
There are seven candidates running for the Moses’ District 3 seat and eight candidates running for Heyward’s District 5 seat
The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is hosting the election
but the city of North Charleston is paying for it
“We do have two seats up and there are eight polling locations
training them and so forth,” Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Executive Director Isaac Cramer said
Cramer says the special election is expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000
state law requires special elections if a vacancy is made with more than 180 days before the next election
Cramer says special elections are common and they’re doing about one per month
“It basically establishes four election dates a year,” Cramer said
instead of having an election any Tuesday in the calendar year in South Carolina
you would have four dates that we have to go by and that will help make things more simple
help us attract and retain poll workers and also to get polling locations.”
The state Senate passed the bill but it awaits action in the House
Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you
by Ian Kayanja
(WCIV) — An unknown suspect called in a bomb threat Sunday night at a structure on Dorchester Road after apparently losing in bingo
according to a recently obtained North Charleston Police Department incident report
officers responded to the Evanston Plaza to investigate the threat
the manager of Evanston Plaza Bingo told police that a man called and said
"since y'all didn't let me win tonight
I'm going to bomb y'all," the police report detailed
The manager attempted to obtain the caller's information from the caller ID, but she said it disappeared from the call history when he hung up.
An investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, police said. No leads were provided in the report.
Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall.
North Charleston police seek information on vehicle theft involving two suspectsby Abigail Quinn
(WCIV) — Two suspects are at large after a car was stolen from a North Charleston Home Thursday
Officers arrived at the scene of the stolen vehicle at approximately 6:47 p.m.
reportedly observed a damaged car pushed partially in the roadway
and the homeowners garage door smashed inwards
Witnesses told officers that at some point during the night someone stole a vehicle
the suspects took the key to the stolen vehicle out of the center console of another unlocked vehicle in the driveway and attempted to drive away
Recovered security camera footage reportedly shows two unknown suspects take the key from an unlocked car and
though the camera does not show the vehicles
officers reported that a crashing noise and the screeching of tires could he heard in the video
Officers reported that the video evidence led them to believe that the suspects backed into the garage door
and then travelled rapidly forward hitting another vehicle in the driveway
forcing it out of its spot and into the roadway
The suspects then fled in an unknown direction
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact the North Charleston Police Department
(WCIV) — A man was arrested Thursday after a late night armed robbery in North Charleston
of North Charleston was arrested and faces charges for armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime
officers responded to the scene of a reported robbery
While approaching the location they encountered an individual matching the given description of the suspect
The individual now identified as White reportedly removed a handgun from his waistband and tossed it to the ground nearby as officers approached
White was placed in handcuffs while officers retrieved the disposed loaded handgun and interviewed the victim
Police state that the victim reported that they had an argument with White in which he removed the gun from his waistband and pointed it at the victim
White was taken into custody and transported to Charleston County Detention Center
becoming NNW and decreasing to less than 5 mph.
becoming NNW and decreasing to less than 5 mph
The North Charleston Police Department is investigating a homicide at the Woodhill Place condominium complex off Rivers Avenue
One man was killed May 4 at the Woodhill Place condominium complex off Rivers Avenue
NORTH CHARLESTON — A man was killed at a private condominium complex off Rivers Avenue early on May 4
Officers with the North Charleston Police Department were called to the Woodhill Place condos just after 1:15 a.m
May 4 in reference to a person beating on windows and doors and asking for help
Officers found a man lying on his stomach near the entrance of the 6221 building on Rolling Fork Road
according to an incident report distributed May 5
He had been shot but still had a faint pulse when officers arrived
His pulse faded and an officer performed CPR for about three minutes until EMS arrived at the scene
The victim has not been publicly identified
The sprawling condominium complex is near Trident United Way
The private residential community boasts of "great security" and has signs warning that the North Charleston Police Department monitors the complex
(WCIV) — One person died in a fatal collision early Sunday morning on I-526
Police said officers responded to reports of a crash around 1:30 a.m
on I-526 westbound between Leeds Avenue and the Westmoreland Bridge
officers discovered the "apparent" collision between a tow truck and another vehicle
NCPD said the female driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased on the scene
READ MORE | "1 dog dead after it was bitten by a service dog: Police report"
The NCPD Traffic Unit and Charleston County Coroner's Office are investigating the incident
The coroner's office has yet to release the identity of the deceased
A woman is suing the North Charleston city government and police department for an ankle injury stemming from a 2023 late-night police pursuit
NORTH CHARLESTON — A woman is suing the local government and police department for an ankle injury stemming from a 2023 late-night police pursuit
According to a complaint filed in state court May 1
Isirlyn Wright was walking in the parking lot of the S.C
Department of Social Services building at the intersection of Rivers and McMillan avenues the night of June 16
an unidentified North Charleston patrol officer was pursuing someone riding a bicycle
The filing says the bicyclist rode up onto the curb and the officer followed in kind
driving the patrol vehicle up onto the curb
Wright was walking toward the building when she saw the bicycle and car heading toward her
The suit says she was "forced to jump onto the curb" to avoid being hit by the police car
and suffered severe injuries to her foot and ankle as a result
The filing states she will continue to suffer from medical expenses
loss wages and diminished enjoyment of life as a result of the incident
The suit alleges two separate causes for action against the city and police department
it argues the defendants were negligent insofar that the officer involved had violated the department's vehicle pursuit policy
According to department policy, police pursuits are heavily monitored by multiple authorities, including dispatchers and police supervisors. Among the responsibilities of both the responding officer and supervisor overseeing a pursuit is to weigh whether the "risk to the public (is) greater than the need for pursuit," according to a policy and procedure manual dated Jan
the suit alleges the city and department were negligent in the hiring
damages to be determined by a jury and attorneys fees
The Post and Courier reached out to Wright's attorney
for comment but did not hear back prior to publication
Spokespeople for the city and the police department declined to comment on the pending litigation
Reach Komlavi Adissem at kadissem@postandcourier.com
and find him on Twitter (X) and Bluesky @KAdissem
at his family’s new rental home near Washington
The now-retired Marine colonel has questions about his recent dismissal from a post in Yuma
more than a year after he ejected from his F-35B on a rainy day over North Charleston
A photograph of the ejection seat from a military investigation into the 2023 F-35B incident over North Charleston
takes a box upstairs at his family’s new rental home near Washington
The now-retired former USMC colonel has been in this house about 24 hours and is trying to get a few things organized for his family before his evening flight back to Yuma
Challenge coins in a storage box of Charles "Tre" Del Pizzo’s new rental home near Washington
Souvenirs like this get handed out and collected as tokens of respect by military members
A cup carried in World War II by the grandfather of Charles "Tre" Del Pizzo
Charles "Tre" Del Pizzo chats with friend Miriam Smyth
Smyth is a retired Navy captain and is part of a large support system Del Pizzo has been helped by since he ejected from an F-35B jet over North Charleston in 2023
Marine Corps pilot demonstrates the F-35B Lighting II’s capabilities during an airshow in Beaufort in 2023
a Beaufort native and outgoing commanding officer
both with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1
during the VMX-1 change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
F-35B Lightning IIs are assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego
An F-35B at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
where Marines train F-35B pilots from around the world
Marine aviator Charles "Cheez" Del Pizzo leading a four-plane formation over Iraq in 2016 on the way to Mosul
Harriers once were the most dangerous jet in the military
but numerous improvements made it a stalwart
Exclusive: A decorated Marine colonel who ejected out of a failing F-35B stealth fighter over North Charleston in 2023 tells the story about what happened and how it affected his military career
tbartelme@postandcourier.com
A dark mass of clouds hung low over North Charleston as Marine Col
Del Pizzo's hands were on the control stick and throttle of an F-35B Lightning II
and Del Pizzo planned to use that technology to land
Del Pizzo had just finished a training sortie over the Atlantic with a second F-35B pilot
practicing tactics at upwards of 500 mph at seven times the force of gravity
He needed to experience this jet’s strengths and weaknesses
he was a full bird colonel getting ready to command a squadron in Yuma
a high-visibility assignment to fine-tune the Marines’ aviation strategies and procedures
As he closed in on Charleston Air Force Base
Forecasters earlier had said the weather would improve
Heavy clouds moved in like a big gray curtain
He’d use his instruments to get through it all
Pilots do instrument landings all the time in crud like this
And the F-35 was packed with instruments, cameras and sensors — all feeding a torrent of data into computers linked to his $400,000 helmet display
The helmet itself was an engineering wonder
It had a dark visor that displayed the jet’s speed
The jet had cameras mounted on the bottom of the plane that streamed videos to the visor
this fusion of data and optics allowed him to see through the plane’s smooth shark-gray shell
Then the visor erupted in flashes of alerts
Then the helmet and main displays went dark; the audio alerts stopped
Military aviators are taught to make quick decisions using an “OODA Loop”— observe
The goal is to cycle through the loop’s four phases faster than your opponent
Del Pizzo’s opponents were the weather and his jet
act: Execute a missed approach procedure and get away from the ground
Pressed a button that converts the jet from vertical mode to conventional
more than 25 messages telling him that the jet was in deep trouble and getting worse
The helmet and main display failed a third time
He glanced at the small backup panel between his legs
He heard what sounded like a motor spooling down
He felt the nose of the aircraft tilt upward
he reached between his legs for the yellow handle
Charles “Tre” Del Pizzo's harrowing ejection from a $135M fighter jet
doing rep after rep until important decisions are intuitive and instantaneous
procedures are based on actions people took in the past that proved to be good ones
Having procedures in place also means that when something goes sideways you’re protected
not punished — as long as you followed those preset rules
All this makes you and your unit faster and more confident warfighters
the system he followed as a young Marine flying AV-8B Harriers
It’s the system he trusted while training and flying more than 2,800 hours in 12 different military aircraft
The system that led to a stream of promotions
to decorations like the Defense Superior Service Medal
It’s the system that propelled him to a coveted command assignment
One that had his superiors saying he could someday make general
A system that gave him a profound sense of belonging that only other Marines really understand
And after those 41 seconds in the cockpit of a failing stealth fighter
details his journey back into the cockpit after the mishap
and then how that journey suddenly ended when the Marines relieved him of command more than a year after he pulled the ejection handle
His story answers many questions about what happened that stormy Sunday afternoon in 2023 over North Charleston
but also raises new ones with stakes that go beyond his mishap: Did the Marines create a dangerous precedent by relieving Del Pizzo
One that makes pilots hesitate to punch out of a malfunctioning aircraft
from another altitude: As everything from cars to fighter jets become more dependent on technology
who’s to blame when those machines fail you
They’re displayed on the laptop he opened recently on the countertop of a mostly empty house near Washington
smiling in a cockpit of a retired A-4 Skyhawk at a Florida air base
A huge white helmet covered the boy’s bright red hair
swallowed up by his dad’s khaki uniform shirt with his Navy wings and ribbons
grinning even more in his dad’s Navy dress jacket
the house had an echo that empty houses have
He’d arrived that morning after driving from Yuma in a rented U-Haul
Del Pizzo is a thin man with thick hair that’s still red
He doesn’t quite fit the movie star version of the cocky fighter jet jock
He’s confident but freely tosses out self-deprecating jokes
He speaks more easily about others in his life than himself
Next to his laptop on the kitchen counter was the metal canteen cup his grandfather carried in World War II
hand-etched with the European countries he marched through under Gen
“He was a poor Italian kid in Philly who married the rich Irish girl he met at church
one of those guys who could hear a song once and then play it on the piano without taking lessons.”
Del Pizzo thought he’d end up in the Navy like his father
it's funny what you lose in generations — like I have no Italian language skills
his father flew jets for the now-defunct Eastern Airlines
and I don’t remember a time in my life growing up that I didn’t want to fly jets just like my dad.”
he did boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina
but he still thought he'd end up in the Navy like his father
mixing college with military training during summers
The Marines offered him a faster route to flying jets than the Navy
After graduating with a degree in criminal justice
he flew straight into flight school in Pensacola
and his love of flight only grew as he logged more time in the air: the eerie night skies
the early mornings when you broke through the cloud bank and saw the rising sun resting on top of it
I feel like that's where I'm supposed to be
muscular aircraft that was the first fighter to take off and land vertically like a helicopter
His call sign was “Cheez,” which loosely rhymed with the way he pronounced Del Pizzo (Peezo)
The Harrier’s ability to hover allowed pilots to land without runways
Del Pizzo was deployed to the Middle East for Operation Iraqi Freedom
and his father met him just as he was about to leave
so he was a little surprised when his father hugged him and said: “You know
But soon Del Pizzo was crossing into Iraqi airspace with 11 other Harriers and hundreds of U.S
The darkening sky was filled with Iraqi long-range artillery shells flying over them
He saw explosions over a hill where Marines on the ground breached a defense
But when it came time to drop his 1,000-pound bomb
act: Continue with the mission and get the jet back to the base
he was flying a Harrier to New Mexico for an exercise
main displays and systems that stabilized the plane
He worked with air traffic controllers to guide him in
Military aviators who knew him said he had an uncanny ability to stay “ahead of the jet” — calmly manage a flood of information about targets
he was the guy you wanted to lead the mission,” said Guy Berry
a retired Marine lieutenant colonel and former Harrier pilot
and Del Pizzo’s trajectory through the Marine Corps moved upward and steady: deployments to Afghanistan
Kuwait and Japan; deployments to Bahrain for combat missions into Syria for Operation Inherent Resolve
He flew Harriers off amphibious assault ships
he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff working on Southeast Asia policy
and with Navy staff on amphibious expedition warfare
He worked in the F-35 Joint Program Office
where he served as the senior Marine representative and at Marine Headquarters
he was selected to take command of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 in Yuma
It was a choice assignment where Marines test their aircraft to make sure procedures and standards work in real-world scenarios
commanding VMX-1 would be the pinnacle of his career as a military aviator
Good procedures and standards tested in Yuma could save Marines’ lives in the field
But he wouldn’t formally take command that year
and he was assigned more duties at the Pentagon
he also needed to learn how to fly the F-35B
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is home of the “Warlords,” Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501
A slight rise offers a brief view of runways and khaki outdoor canopies shading F-35Bs
"The 'noise' you hear is the sound of freedom."
It’s one of two Marine F-35B training centers
It has advanced simulators and a time-tested curriculum
He flew an F-35B for the first time in April 2023
returning to the Beaufort base with a smile on his face
The jet was the most impressive machine he’d ever flown
a mind meld with computers and brute force
As a future commander of VMX-1, he needed to know as much about the F-35B as possible. The F-35 is the military’s most ambitious weapons system, a $2 trillion investment over the next 50 years in the nation’s air defense capabilities
which has a more robust structure for carrier landings
All three variants have a stealthy shape and advanced composite shells to evade enemy radar
But its real value is in the electronics inside; computers and sensors take over some of the pilot’s duties
directing other planes to their targets or serving as forward spotters for ground artillery
But complex systems can come with potential flaws; because these systems build on one another
After you pull the ejection handle on a fighter jet
straps on the seat instantly pin your arms and legs so they don’t flail when you hit the slipstream
Air bags inflate around your neck and head
A line of explosives above your head shatters the canopy
launching you and the seat with a force 18 times greater than gravity
Fighter pilots know that about one of 10 ejections lead to death
and one out of 3 end up with spinal damage or other severe injuries
Shards of metal dug into his neck from the explosives that blasted the canopy apart
my helmet and mask got ripped off in the wind stream
“I remember feeling the precipitation on my face
and then just being pulled back as the drogue chute opened and slowed me down.” (A drogue chute is a small parachute that stops the pilot from tumbling.)
“And I could hear the engine noise from the airplane
And that's when I thought the airplane is going to come down and hit me
because I felt like the airplane was out of control
and I'm going to die here in this parachute.”
He wouldn’t learn until much later that after he ejected
the jet converted from its vertical mode to conventional and kept flying
but no sign of the plane crash; he was above a neighborhood
act: A survival kit attached to a lanyard dangled below him; he released it to avoid snagging in the wires; he reached up for the chute’s toggles and steered toward a house
He aimed for a backyard about the size of an average living room
He walked to the house’s backdoor and knocked
“They were looking at me in my wet flight suit in their backyard
with me telling them I needed to call 911.”
a woman and her son ushered him into the kitchen
The father helped Del Pizzo stop some bleeding from the shrapnel wounds
and after briefly talking to the dispatcher
“I’m the pilot,” Del Pizzo can be heard saying in the recording
and Del Pizzo said it was unfair to criticize her
as some on social media did after news organizations posted the 911 recording
Something that dispatchers probably wouldn’t see in their own training
Uppermost in his mind as he talked to the dispatcher and arriving paramedics: What happened to the jet
“My biggest fear was that I’d hurt someone.”
and they sped to the Medical University of South Carolina in downtown Charleston
he accidentally pocket-dialed his eldest teenage son
who could only hear voices and sirens in the background
who was at their youngest son’s flag football game
He knew that mishaps trigger investigations
Protocols required him to keep details at a minimum
So the conversation was short on specifics
he kept asking if the plane crash had hurt anyone
“I thought the plane would come down in someone’s backyard
He was so baffled that at one point he turned to a doctor
‘Am I dead?’ No one could give me any information about the airplane.”
an unintended incident that leads to a death
injury or significant property damage is called a “mishap” — not an accident — and mishaps trigger a cascade of investigations
The probes into Del Pizzo’s mishap were especially sensitive given the secrecy of the F-35’s stealth technology and capabilities
Instead of the smoking hole he expected below him
the jet climbed at a 5-degree angle to about 9,300 feet
The jet crashed near a swamp and fields in a community called Indiantown
Investigators later pegged its speed on impact at 635 mph
In heavily redacted documents later released by the military
investigators also described an “electrical malfunction” that knocked out radios
landing guidance systems and a key transponder that would have automatically sent the jet’s location to air traffic controllers
The loss of that tracking device and the jet’s stealthy design made it more difficult to pinpoint the crash site
It didn’t help when an Air Force spokesperson sought help from the public
Memes popped up with a sign on a telephone pole
with a photo of an F-35 and a caption: “Have you seen this plane?” Could the military really lose such a connected plane
Del Pizzo suspected an electrically charged media storm was brewing outside
A Marine buddy showed up after driving all night from North Carolina
“He was following things on social media and said
Del Pizzo heard the commandant of the Marines
Maybe it was merely an effort to express concern to a fellow Marine
But such a conversation could go against standard protocols to keep investigations as objective and influence-free as possible
“I think it was surrounding some of the things going on in the media at the time,” Del Pizzo said
He learned later that a senior officer persuaded Smith not to talk to him
It was a hint of the mishap’s sensitivity and the trouble to come
After about 24 hours without a crash site location
a South Carolina Civil Air Patrol team identified a promising target near Hemingway based on its analysis of radar pings
Residents told them they’d heard a loud bang and flash that Sunday afternoon
A military fire official noted scorched trees near Boggy Swamp and found the debris
But more questions lingered as military workers sealed off the site: Why did Del Pizzo eject when the plane continued to fly
Had something gone wrong with the plane's technology
He had cracked vertebrae in his lower and middle back
they went to Charleston International Airport and waited for a flight back to Washington
“It was good to get out of that area because so many people were talking about it,” Jessica Del Pizzo recalled
“But I remember that at the airport we looked at each other and said how weird it was to be getting in an airplane.”
Three separate investigations would explore what happened and why
A Navy Aviation Mishap Board had teams of F-35 aviators
Its goal was to identify mistakes and weaknesses
and draw up lessons to prevent future mishaps
Underlying the board’s work were legal protections that prevented superiors from punishing pilots and crews for anything they told investigators
Results of this investigation aren’t released to the public
The second investigation was the Field Flight Performance Board
it also included experienced military aviators and experts
The board's report typically isn't released to the public
The third was the Marines’ Command Investigation
Their goal is primarily legal: to determine whether a pilot engaged in misconduct
Results of this investigation can be released to the public
The first two investigations came to similar conclusions
officials knowledgeable about the reports’ contents and documents obtained by The Post and Courier through open records laws: Del Pizzo’s aircraft experienced a significant electrical malfunction
one that knocked out key systems — including displays and navigation aids he needed to land in severe weather
making it difficult to contact air traffic controllers or his wingman for guidance
A small backup display was partially functional
This and the zero-visibility conditions likely contributed to a phenomenon known as spatial disorientation
where your inner ear tricks you into feeling that you’re dizzy or falling
Both investigations noted that nothing in the military’s training and simulator work prepared pilots for a crescendo of systems failures in severe weather at a low altitude
“the aircraft is considered to be in out of controlled flight (OCF) when it fails to respond properly to pilot inputs,” adding
“if out of control below 6,000 feet AGL (above ground level): EJECT.”
Both investigations concluded that most highly experienced pilots with similar levels of experience in an F-35 would have punched out of the plane
The Field Flight Performance Board lauded Del Pizzo’s record and potential to move on after the mishap
“Colonel Del Pizzo is a career-long high performing naval aviator and Marine officer
There is no indication that Colonel Del Pizzo was overconfident in his abilities or reckless in mission execution … The board unanimously believes that Colonel Del Pizzo exercised sound judgment in his actions on 17 September 2023.”
And both investigation boards made numerous recommendations
including new scenarios in simulators and changes in training
that was how the system was supposed to work
But the officer in charge of the third investigation came to a different conclusion
The officer agreed that Del Pizzo followed procedures under difficult conditions
and that Del Pizzo didn’t engage in any misconduct
he found the mishap “occurred as a result of pilot error
in that the MP (mishap pilot) incorrectly diagnosed an OCF flight emergency and ejected from a flyable aircraft.”
His report pegged the cost of the plane's loss at $136 million
Del Pizzo reviewed that report in early 2024
while still recovering from his broken back
Without a massive system failure while flying blind in the clouds
This investigation also went beyond its normal scope of determining misconduct
which Del Pizzo and other experienced aviators interviewed for this story said was highly unusual
But Command Investigation reports typically didn’t carry the same weight as the other two safety investigations
And the report’s conclusion that he was to blame didn’t seem to affect his career arc
and he was cleared to fly fighter jets again
feeling a sense of gratitude for another chance
Those flights also would solve another mystery
he heard what he thought was the engine spooling down
But flying again in the F-35B he realized it wasn’t the engine
it was the powerful lift fan the plane uses in hover mode
The sound of the fan slowing down contributed to the illusion that he’d lost power and was falling
An important lesson to pass on to future pilots
And he was still on track to take command of VMX-1 in Arizona
'Am I good?' Almost every week." They kept giving him the green light
"The aviation leadership couldn't have been more supportive."
he received the Legion of Merit for his work at the Pentagon
visited Yuma that summer and seemed pleased
Smith asked him about his future career plans
Del Pizzo said that he was weighing his options
Smith told him that command of VMX-1 wasn’t his last chapter as a Marine
“We put you here for a reason,” which Del Pizzo interpreted as a vote of confidence in his future in the Marines
Marine officers are regularly evaluated for their fitness to command
a report card of sorts that the commandant uses for promotions
one report in mid-2024 said: “Absolutely must promote
GO (general) potential … Cheez is a pure professional with unlimited future potential … Has my highest recommendation for promotion.”
Another report later in 2024 said Del Pizzo’s work in Yuma was “setting the course for Marine Aviation’s future … highest recommendation for promotion … Place where our Corps’ hardest problems must be solved … Col
Del Pizzo’s potential in our Corps is unlimited.”
So he was stunned when he got the call last October: After 103 days of command in Yuma
The news came in a video call with one of the two generals who had written that Del Pizzo had unlimited promotion potential
“I thought it was just a chance to catch up,” Del Pizzo recalled
I get some one-on-one time with the bosses and talk about how things are going.’ ”
the conversation moved immediately to the mishap
The lieutenant general told him he’d done nothing wrong during his command in Yuma
but that a press release was about to be issued about Command Investigation’s findings
had reviewed the report again and decided that Del Pizzo shouldn’t have such a high-visibility command
the ones that concluded Del Pizzo hadn’t been at fault
The Marines would explain the sudden relief of command by saying it was due to a “loss of trust and confidence,” which hit Del Pizzo like a dagger because it implied misconduct
Del Pizzo asked if he could have a small change of command ceremony — hand over the squadron’s flag as a way of thanking the people who had been so welcoming when he took over
sailors and civilians under his command in Yuma were told that he had been relieved for “misdiagnosis of an out-of-control flight situation.” Until then
only a small circle of people knew he’d ejected from the F-35B in South Carolina
She wondered why he didn't just send her a text
she struggled to understand the timing and the treatment
All three investigations had been done in early 2024
but the Marines still gave him a green light to take command
Why put him and his family through a cross-country move
What had changed between early 2024 and that fall
Del Pizzo asked to speak to the commandant directly
But in 2023, the year of Del Pizzo’s mishap, F-35Bs were fully available for missions only 15 to 36 percent of the time, the Government Accountability Office reported
Critics of the F-35 cite the program’s costs and manufacturing delays
One big concern has been the jet's computers and software
The exact cause of the electrical malfunction in Del Pizzo’s mishap is hidden in redacted documents
pages the military said it blacked out for national security purposes
but bolts at the time of the mishap were 20 miles away and couldn’t have fried the plane’s electronics
Investigators noted that the aircraft entered heavy rain five minutes before Del Pizzo ejected
But a Marine spokesperson said its investigation found no evidence that rainwater caused the electrical malfunction
he’s a big cheerleader of the technology and the jet’s potential
He sees its evolution through the lens of a Harrier pilot
Harriers had even more issues but became one of the military’s aviation stalwarts because of constant improvements in technology and procedures
He’d seen firsthand during his work at the Pentagon how tirelessly people in the F-35 program were working to do the same for that jet
which is one reason he was so concerned about the way he was relieved of command
Punishing him moved the spotlight away from the jet’s issues
“We needed to take a hard look at that to prevent it from happening again,” he said
then people are going to be paralyzed and not be able to make decisions
Some active duty and retired military aviators familiar with Del Pizzo's situation were appalled by his treatment
"We fired a guy because of a press release," said one
Another added that the treatment of Del Pizzo sends a dangerous message: If you eject
"The easiest thing to do is blame the pilot."
The Post and Courier provided officials at Marine Headquarters with a list of questions about the commandant's decision to relieve Del Pizzo
the timing of his order and whether he factored in whether his decision set a dangerous precedent for Marine aviators in the future
Marine officials acknowledged receiving the questions but did not provide any answers
There’s an aviation metaphor that business leaders and self-help gurus often deploy: During a flight
a plane is off-course 90 percent of the time
Reaching a destination means constant adjustments to turbulence
Lives and careers have their own kinds of turbulence and course-changers
As Del Pizzo recently unpacked his U-Haul at the family’s newly rented home near Washington
namely what it was like to be newly retired from an institution that had for so long been part of his identity
though his mind also can start spinning what-ifs
What if the forecast had been more accurate
What if the cloud cover had been just a few hundred feet higher and he’d been able to see the ground
What if he had radio contact and could talk to his wingman
The commandant's order to relieve him probably killed any chances of promotion
The deeper pain comes from what happened more than a year after he pulled the ejection handle
“Maybe it was just a business decision,” Del Pizzo said of the commandant’s move to relieve him of command
“But there's a human element that you have to take care of
You can't just discard someone because it's inconvenient or a bad headline
You need to make sure you take care of the people
That's how you maintain that culture of trust.”
schoolyard sounds could be heard in the distance
Yellow-and-gray plastic moving crates were stacked in the living room
You’re still part of a group of people who helped forge who you are
He’d soon head back to Yuma to close the house down there
flying into the new unknowns of civilian life
questions lingering in the slipstream of 41 seconds of sensory chaos above North Charleston and 31 years as a Marine that ended because of someone else’s decision
This story began with the mystery surrounding the ejection and crash in 2023 — and the length of time the Marines took to answer basic questions about what happened and why
Tony Bartelme’s previous reports in 2024 dove deep into the F-35’s history and pros and cons
Charles “Tre” Del Pizzo’s decision to tell his story answers many of those questions
He agreed to do so because he said he hoped lessons could be learned to help future Marines
To corroborate his story and other aspects of military investigation procedures
The Post and Courier interviewed a half-dozen military aviators
The newspaper also interviewed F-35 experts
The newspaper obtained more than 700 pages of heavily redacted documents about the incident from the Defense Department and local law enforcement agencies
Del Pizzo provided documentation of his military record and fitness reports for our review
Bartelme and Robert Scheer traveled to Washington, D.C., for in-person interviews. Funding for the project was supported by the newspaper’s nonprofit Public Service and Investigative Fund
Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do
It’s also the most expensive reporting we do
Broadstreet Global partnered with real estate development firm Contender for the project
The Element by Marriott extended-stay hotel near Charleston Airport in North Charleston has opened its doors
offering a new accommodation option for travellers
Private equity company Broadstreet Global said it partnered with real estate development firm Contender for the “multi-million-dollar” project
The company noted that this development is a response to the increasing need for adaptable and premium lodging options in the region in South Carolina
The 123-room hotel is designed with “eco-conscious” principles and features amenities suited for extended stays that appeal to both corporate visitors and vacationers
The newly opened Element by Marriott Charleston Airport provides guests with easy access to key commercial
a hotel management firm headquartered in Greenville
is responsible for overseeing the property’s operations
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard
Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis
North Charleston Chamber of Commerce board chairman Alan Thompson said: “We are excited to welcome another wonderful place to stay for anyone visiting North Charleston or the Charleston Metro
“North Charleston is the hub of travel in and out of Charleston and we are privileged to host many of the great people that visit our region
We look forward to adding the Element by Marriott to the wonderful accommodation options we have in North Charleston.”
Amenities at the Element by Marriott property include in-room kitchens
The hotel also offers a 24/7 motion fitness centre
Broadstreet business operations senior managing director David Berger said: “Charleston’s growth story is one of the most exciting in the country
and we’re proud to contribute to it with the opening of the Element by Marriott Charleston Airport
“This hotel is exactly the type of community-focused investment that Broadstreet looks for in the Carolinas
creating opportunities that not only meet market demand but also help strengthen the place we call home.”
With the addition of the Element by Marriott Charleston Airport
the Marriott International brand now has a portfolio of 100 hotels across North America
This follows Marriott International’s expansion of its Moxy brand in the US, which saw the opening of its first property in North Carolina
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(WCSC) - North Charleston Police Department investigators say a vulnerable man reported missing earlier on Friday has been found
Investigators did not give additional details on where he was found
(WCSC) - North Charleston Police say a vulnerable adult who had been reported missing has been found and is safe
The 69-year-old man had last been seen in the 3400 block of Rivers Avenue
Jacobs announced the man had been found shortly before 5 a.m
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(WCIV) — Local authorities reported that a North Charleston Police Department officer was injured in a crash in Moncks Corner on Wednesday
The accident occurred on Highway 52 at Gaillard Road
North Charleston Police Department spokesperson Harve Jacobs said
The officer was transported to a hospital with what officials describe as "minor injuries."
No information regarding how the crash happened was immediately made available
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the accident
News 4 reached out to a highway patrol spokesperson and is awaiting a response
(WCIV) — The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is putting on their annual North Charleston Arts Fest
featuring both regional and local artists and performers
Attendees are invited to enjoy five days of free events celebrating performers in the areas of dance
their goal has been to provide quality arts programming at an affordable rate to the public
attracting residents and visitors from throughout the Southeast and beyond
The weeks events will include a variety of performances
Events will run April 30 through May 4 and more information about the 2025 North Charleston Arts Fest can he found here.
READ MORENorth Charleston police investigate 'suspicious death' after man's body found waterby Bryce Jacquot
(WCIV) — The North Charleston Police Department is investigating a "suspicious death" after the body of a man was found floating in water behind a North Charleston home Wednesday
An officer was called out to Filbin Creek near Dorothy Williams Street around 2 p.m.
The officer met with the complainant who said she located the body floating in the water behind her home
The body of the man was straddling a bicycle
The coroner's office has not yet identified the deceased
Elliott Antoin Huggins is charged with murder and the possession of a weapon during a violent crime after the victim died at a local area hospital
near Ingleside Boulevard and Zeppelin Drive
according to an incident report from the North Charleston Police Department
officers discovered the victim lying in the roadway and the suspect nearby
Witnesses at the scene described a similar story of Huggins confronting the victim
Huggins then threw a cup of coffee at the victim's car
leading to the victim exiting the vehicle and grabbing the passenger-side mirror
It was then that the victim was shot in the chest
Huggins was booked into the Charleston County Jail around 12:13 p.m.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office plans to continue the investigation
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A Dreamliner 787-10 flies over the Charleston skies
close to its birthplace at the North Charleston Boeing plant
North Charleston-built 787 Dreamliner tops 1 billion passengers worldwide
The 787 Dreamliner fleet has surpassed 1 billion passengers faster than any widebody commercial airplane in history
which bases its Dreamliner program in North Charleston
The fleet accomplished the milestone in less than 14 years since the first model entered into service
The global 787 fleet of more than 1,175 airplanes has flown nearly 5 million flights covering more than 30 million flight hours
according to a news release from the company
“This milestone would not have been possible without the trust and confidence of our customers in operating the 787
and we are incredibly grateful for each of them,” Scott Stocker
Boeing 787 program vice president and general manager
“The 787 Dreamliner family was designed to connect people and places like never before
Flying over 1 billion passengers in this relatively short time is a testament to how the airplane has delivered on its promises to transform air travel with operational versatility
talent and innovation of the teammates and partners who have brought the 787 family to life
To every operator flying the 787 and every one of the 1 billion passengers who have flown on a Dreamliner
To mark the moment, Boeing released a video honoring the passengers
partners and people behind the success of the 787 Dreamliner family
Since the 787 Dreamliner entered service in 2011:
The 787 family is 25% more fuel efficient than the airplanes it replaces
an expanded use of lightweight composite materials
more efficient systems applications and modern aerodynamics
manufactures and services commercial airplanes
defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries
American Airlines adds more flights between Charleston and LaGuardia
increasing to 3 daily departures by Nove[...]
The new weekly service introduces the airport's second international flight and expands its global reach
The whistleblower took his own life in Charleston after answering questions from attorneys for several days
Boeing will expand both of its North Charleston campuses in a project that will create over 500 new jobs
The university began its partnership with the flight school in 2021 to offer CSU’s inaugural professional pi[...]
The twice-weekly flights will provide travelers with a direct connection between Charleston and this global de[...]
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Current CEO will head to a new post in Poland as the Ladson plants welcomes a leader from [...]
Stevens Towing has powered coastal transport
evolving from mail delivery to hea[...]
Blanchard Machinery begins construction on a $65M Calhoun County facility to boost growth
American Airlines adds more flights between Charleston and LaGuardia
increasing to 3 daily departur[...]
A new joint venture acquired 104 affordable housing units in North Charleston for $15M
South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis will stay in office for now as the House opts not to act on S[...]
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North Charleston police officers cordoned off a portion of Jenkins Avenue adjacent to North Charleston High School with yellow crime scene tape after a text insinuating a threat led to police combing the premises April 25
Several North Charleston police cars lined Jenkins Avenue adjacent to North Charleston High School after a text insinuating a threat led to police combing the premises April 25
A possible serious threat at North Charleston schools sent multiple officers to the schools to ensure the safety of students and staff
NORTH CHARLESTON — City police took no chances after a threat was sent by text to 911 and swarmed high school in Park Circle on April 25 in response
Well over a dozen police vehicles with blue lights activated were stationed on Jenkins Avenue as officers investigated an “unknown incident” at North Charleston High School
Details of the threat were not publicly released
but by early afternoon the school was unlocked and North Charleston police and the Charleston County school system reported there was no active threat for students
A statement sent to parents and shared with The Post and Courier read: "This is the district’s Office of Communications calling to inform you that North Charleston High School was placed into a Lockdown this afternoon while law enforcement investigated what turned out to be a false report of an armed individual at NCHS
The Cooper River CAS (Center for Advanced Studies
located across the street from the high school) was also placed into a Secure and Hold as a precaution
there are no ongoing threats to either school
"We greatly appreciate the quick response of law enforcement and the cooperation of our students and staff as we implemented the Standard Response Protocol," the statement concludes
There is no active threat to either the high school or the Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies
acting spokesperson for the police department
Police responded in reference to a text to the county 911 hotline advising of a serious threat
Officers searched all floors of both the high school and the Center for Advanced Studies and did not recover weapons or identify persons of interest
The scene had been intense before officers were able to confirm the safety of the schools
The early-afternoon sun beat down on Jenkins Avenue
which officers had cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape and directed cars away from turning down the lane
A small group of officers chatted at the onset of the roadway
Two senior students on their way back to class from neighboring Park Circle businesses were not permitted to cross the street and enter the school area
“I guess I’m not going back to class,” one remarked
a woman’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker at the Center for Advanced Studies
advising students to shelter in place and stay within the school building
The woman urged students to clear the halls and staff members to lock the school’s exterior doors
Reporter Alan Hovorka contributed to this report
President Donald Trump makes a major sports announcement. The announcement comes amid reports Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft.
WATCHMissing 70-year-old found safeby Abigail Quinn
(WCIV) — (UPDATE) — Joe Morris has been found safe
The North Charleston Police Department is seeking the public's help in locating a missing and vulnerable 70-year-old man
Joe Morris Foster was last seen on Thursday at 3400 Rivers Avenue
black sneakers and a light blue shirt with writing on it
Foster stands at 5'8" and weighs 246 pounds and is known to walk at a slow pace
Anyone who believes they have information on Foster's whereabouts is urged to contact the North Charleston Police Department at northcharlestonpolice@northcharleston.org
who was charged with the murder of Seabrook
Seabrook was charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime
He was booked at the Al Cannon Detention Center
(WCSC) - The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has announced the identity of the victim of a fatal crash in North Charleston on Friday
on the scene at 6600 Rivers Ave from blunt force injuries
Elkins was the operator of the bicycle involved
This crash is being investigated by the North Charleston Police Department Traffic Unit and the Charleston County Coroner’s Office
(WCSC) - A neighborhood that saw an early-morning response from the North Charleston Police Department is back open now that a suspect is in custody
Officers were seen in the area of Park Gate Drive by Edgebrook Circle in the Park at River’s Edge
Master Patrol Officer Jessie Demalo confirmed that a suspect had barricaded himself in the neighborhood
Demalo said the suspect was brought into custody around 7:10 a.m
Thursday with no injuries reported and that the neighborhood roadways were reopened
the community was advised to continue to avoid the area if possible
Live 5 News crews on the scene heard the sound of glass breaking and shouting and other loud noises
and the neighborhood’s Home Owners’ Association says community members started reporting hearing shots around 4:30 a.m
Police officers were seen escorting children to a school bus that arrived in the neighborhood just before 7 a.m
Police have not yet identified the suspect or announced any potential charges
There is still no information regarding what led up to this incident
High school art teacher Paige Duvall is seen with her students' work at the Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition at the North Charleston Coliseum
The Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition and High School Sculpture Competition allows students from Charleston
and Berkeley counties to showcase their work in a professional setting at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston
The youth art exhibit is free and open to the public from April 30- May 4 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston
Berkeley and Dorchester counties is on display at the youth art exhibition
part of the annual North Charleston Arts Festival
Don't miss the 42nd North Charleston Arts Fest from April 30 - May 4
The Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition and High School Sculpture Competition allows students from public and private schools in Charleston
and Berkeley counties to showcase their work in a professional setting from April 30 to May 4 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston
As part of the annual North Charleston Arts Festival
last year an impressive 1,034 entries for the youth art exhibition and 64 sculptures from 10 high schools for the sculpture competition were received
Arts Outreach Coordinator for the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department
the level of participation is a testament to the dedication of local art educators and the enthusiasm of young artists
“We receive most of our submissions from art teachers or homeschooling parents,” Martin explains
“The youth art entries equal the amount of all other art combined
which makes this a significant showcase for student work
It’s also a wonderful opportunity for teachers to see what their colleagues are teaching across different schools
You can observe trends — whether it's a focus on hyperrealism
The exhibition is open to the public throughout the festival
with an opening reception featuring live music and refreshments
The event draws an estimated 1,000 attendees when awards are announced
several thousand people have engaged with the youth art showcase
To understand the festival’s impact on students
a visual arts teacher at Philip Simmons High School and their 2025 Teacher of the Year
Q: What does this arts festival mean to you and your students
A: The North Charleston Arts Festival represents a vital opportunity for my students to engage with the broader arts community
it's their first experience having work displayed in a professional setting outside our school walls
This festival creates a sense of belonging in the arts community and validates their creative efforts
it's inspiring to see how the festival has maintained its commitment to accessibility and inclusion over 42 years
providing my students with the chance to see themselves as legitimate artists whose work deserves to be seen
Q: How do you choose which student artworks to submit for the youth exhibition
A: I look for works that demonstrate technical skill
Rather than focusing solely on polished outcomes
I value pieces that show genuine artistic growth or risk-taking
I consider student enthusiasm — sometimes the artists who are most invested in their work are those who benefit most from the exhibition experience
Q: What is your process for preparing students for this festival — both artistically and mentally
we discuss what makes work 'exhibition-ready' and focus on completion
I emphasize that their work will be viewed by a broad audience
which helps them consider their artistic choices more deeply
we talk about what it means to put your work into public spaces — how to accept feedback
and understand that artistic value isn't determined solely by external recognition
I also prepare them for the festival experience itself
encouraging them to engage with other artists' work and appreciate the community celebration of creativity
Q: Have you seen any lasting impact on students who participate in this festival
I've seen significant growth in students' confidence and artistic identity after participating
Participation in festivals like this helps students build portfolios and learn to articulate their artistic vision —essential skills for college applications
The process of preparing work for public display
and engaging with audience feedback develops professionalism that serves them well in college interviews and applications
Many students return years later to tell me how formative the experience was in validating their creative abilities
Q: How has this festival evolved over the years
A: Having begun as a small community celebration and grown into a five-day regional arts event
the festival has maintained its community roots while expanding its reach
What makes it particularly special is its commitment to accessibility — keeping all events free ensures everyone can participate regardless of economic circumstances
The integration of youth and adult art in the same exhibition spaces is especially meaningful
This approach respects young artists by placing their work in conversation with adult artists rather than segregating it
sending a powerful message that their creative expressions have legitimate value in the broader arts community
This side-by-side display also provides students with inspiration and allows them to see potential artistic paths they might pursue
The North Charleston Arts Festival is more than just a showcase of talent — it’s a catalyst for young artists to step confidently into the creative world
Its commitment to fostering young talent remains at the heart of its mission
ensuring that the next generation of artists feels seen
For more details, go to: northcharlestonartsfest.com/youth-art-competitions-exhibitions
(WCIV) — Three people have been arrested after a shooting left two others injured off Raddison Lane in North Charleston Monday
19 from Huger is being charged with two counts of attempted Murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime
19 from Huger is being charged as an accessory after the fact of attempted murder and assault and battery by mob in the 2nd degree
21 from Alabama is being charged with assault and battery by mob in the 2nd degree
NCPD responded to reports of a shooting in the 3700 block of Raddison Lane in Ladson
Officers arrived to learn that two people had been shot
Both victims were taken to a hospital for treatment with "apparent non-life-threatening injuries," according to NCPD
took them into custody in the woods off Peppermill Parkway
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available
(WCIV) — A North Charleston man was arrested and charged with possession of a machine gun Saturday after a North Charleston police officer discovered a pistol in the suspect's waistband with an attachment that made it capable of fully automatic fire
18-year-old Stacy Lamont Pha'raz Stokes
Saturday in the Acabee Community of North Charleston
An officer with the North Charleston Police Department was conducting focused based patrols of the neighborhood in reference to shootings that had occurred in the Dorchester Waylon community earlier that day
the officer spotted Stokes with a "non-anatomical bulge" in his front hoodie pocket and waistline
walking down Acabee Road towards Appleton Street "clutching his waist band
and making furtive movements consistent with concealing contraband," the report reads
The officer turned around and noticed Stokes running away from him in a "full sprint" while clutching his waistline
The officer wrote that Stokes' flight was unprovoked
and ordered him not to reach for the "firearm concealed in his front hoodie pocket." The report states that at that point the officer could clearly see the outline of a handgun printing through Stokes' hoodie
which was revealed to be a Glock 23 handgun with a "switch" attachment that allows it to fire fully automatically
and Firearms classifies possession of a Glock switch as a machine gun regardless of if it is installed on the slide or not
The gun was loaded with a magazine containing 27 rounds of 40 caliber ammunition
An NCIC check showed the firearm was not reported stolen
Stokes was booked at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and charged with possession of a machine gun
and is expected to make his first appearance in court in early June
Multiple law enforcement officers have told FITSNews several pedestrians were struck in Charleston either during or after a vehicular pursuit by the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) this afternoon
At least one fatality was reported over radio traffic
Sources have indicated the pursuit was called off for safety reasons shortly before the vehicle involved crossed into Charleston striking multiple pedestrians near Reid Street and Meeting Street — just one block from Meeting Street
The number of casualties remains unknown at this time
but some initial reports have put the number of victims as high as ten
A video taken of the scene by a bystander shows multiple victims with one potential fatality
This is a developing story… please check back for updates
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE
How do we know that radio traffic reported at least one fatality
I thought that all Charleston County Law Enforcement was now thoroughly encrypted to keep the press and the peasants in the dark about their secret doings Encryption
is infesting more police agencies in SC every month
Any agency that encrypts its dispatch traffic has no claim on “transparency”
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
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Charleston brands such as The Urban Electric Co.
Fritz Porter (shown here) and Smithey Ironware Co
New North Charleston design district to feature home furnishings industry
Furniture designers have a new location to feature their work in the Navy Yard Charleston’s future Charleston Design District
the district will open along the Cooper River in North Charleston as a hub to create and source home furnishings
Schumacher and Textures have signed leases for showroom locations in the district
“Charleston’s architecture and design community is celebrated for its creativity and rich history
and we are thrilled to be part of such a collaborative and tight-knit group of professionals,” Andrew Denny
“Navy Yard Charleston offers the perfect setting to showcase our carefully curated products and to deepen our connection with the design industry in Charleston.”
the district will offer up to 150,000-square-feet of showroom space
“The history of the Navy Yard is the story of craft manufacturing in the Lowcountry,” Dave Dawson
president and founder of The Urban Electric Co.
“The neighborhood’s character-rich buildings and maker spirit drew us here nearly 20 years ago
an experience we proudly share with the design clients across the country we regularly bring to visit our factory
We’re excited to welcome even more kindred creatives to an already dynamic community and to nurture and inspire the next generation of decorative artists.”
The Charleston Design District will also include dining options
including a full-service rooftop restaurant totaling 8,200-square-feet from Steve Palmer of Indigo Road Hospitality Group
“Charleston’s rich design heritage and vibrant creative community make it the perfect home for our newest showroom,” Emily Raquel Romero
“We are deeply committed to our clients here and excited to invest further in this inspiring city
strengthening relationships and fostering new collaborations within its dynamic design landscape.”
The design district is part of a multi-phase process to redevelop the old Charleston Navy Base for community use
Jamestown real estate firm is leading the redevelopment along with Weaver Capital Partners and WECCO Development
Related: Real estate firm acquires circa-1844 downtown Charleston hotel
Related: Daniel Island taphouse expanding with new Charleston location
“The history and architecture of the area offer a strong anchor and compelling backdrop for the Charleston Design District,” Michael Phillips
“The formation of the Charleston Design District is
a response to the diverse design and creative community that has amassed throughout the neighborhood over the past few years
We want to foster and grow that community to create the most extensive and innovative selection of interior furnishings in the coastal Carolinas.”
Kravet’s showroom is 2,240 square feet and Schumacher’s is 3,760 square feet
Patterson Flynn leased a 1,620-square-foot showroom in Storehouse Nine
“We are delighted to be in such great company at the Charleston Design District,” Daniel Kravet
“Our Kravet Workspace model provides a seamless and efficient shopping experience for our customers
and we’re excited to be a part of the founding of this design hub.”
a rooftop patio and The Whiskey Hotel on the second floor
The purpose of the transition is to reduce lead time and freight costs and now
Greenville area’s first private club in more than three decades celebrates milestone ..
the hotel is located at 301 Holiday Drive and has 95 guest rooms
Attendees will have wine and food tastings
spirits seminars and the Grand Tasting with winemakers
by Scott Eisberg
(WCIV) — Mount Pleasant native and Academic Magnet grad Andrew Novak made the perfect comeback earlier this week after coming up one stroke short at the RBC Heritage golf tournament on Hilton Head Island
Novak fell to Justin Thomas in that tournament
however it did not take long for him snag his first career PGA Tour victory exactly one week later at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans
Novak's best friend and biggest supporter Kyle Spencer was ready to support Novak in his win
though support shown through watching on the tv had to do
We watched last week with the playoff with JT
my wife had me on the phone and I couldn’t breathe
First time I ever done that with TV to be honest
watching him come down stretch with Ben Griffin
it was like they got this in the bag," said Spencer
Though Spencer says he is sad to have missed the big tournament he has a good reason
nothing spoiled this moment for his best friend
from Charleston National to Rivertowne to Snee Farm bouncing between these courses in Mount Pleasant to seeing him on TV regularly is crazy
this is big.' I still owe him a dinner at Hall’s
We’ll have to make that happen next time we’re both in town," he said
the hope is that this is the first of many for Novak as his sights are set on the Ryder Cup
A lot of conversations don’t revolve around golf
When they do it’s like 'you hit a terrible shot on 17
almost went in the water.' Today was a little different
Once your phone stops buzzing off the hook with family and friends we’ll talk tomorrow
so happy for him and Maddy," said Spencer
National groups HITT Construction and BE&K Building Group have partnered as contractors on Boeing’s $1 billion expansion project in North Charleston
National construction firms partner on Boeing’s $1B expansion in North Charleston
National groups HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group have partnered as contractors on Boeing’s $1 billion expansion project in North Charleston
HITT Contracting is a commercial construction team with 14 U.S
and BE&K Building Group is a design-build and construction management firm that specializes in aviation and aerospace
“HITT is proud to partner with BE&K and Boeing on this transformative expansion in Charleston,” Evan Antonides, co-president of HITT
“This investment reinforces Boeing’s commitment to growth in South Carolina
and we’re honored to help bring their vision to life
Our Charleston team looks forward to delivering a project that will drive economic impact and job creation in the region.”
BRPH will be the architect of record and construction is planned to begin in late 2025
Related: Boeing commits to $1 billion Charleston County expansion
Related: New Charleston Metro Chamber CEO lays out vision for future
Boeing will expand both of its North Charleston campuses
to support increased 787 Dreamliner production targets and potential future rate increases driven by market demand
which is expected to create over 500 new jobs
“We are honored that Boeing has once again entrusted BE&K to continue supporting their vision and goals through this significant expansion at their North Charleston campus,” said Frank Holley, CEO of BE&K
“We look forward to a successful collaboration with HITT and Boeing and the positive impacts this project will bring to the surrounding community and Boeing’s customers around the world.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has flown over 1 billion passengers in under 14 years