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Charleston County Council approved a $4.25 billion sales tax referendum for the November ballot, with some last-minute changes. A 41-year-old man from Ohio died this week after being pulled from the water unresponsive near Isle of Palms. A wildfire in Francis Marion National Forest has grown to over 1,000 acres while firefighters have doubled containment efforts to 20 percent.
We're going to catch you up on these and other top stories from The Post and Courier for Wednesday, July 22.
Charleston County approves $4.25 billion sales tax referendum, with some last-minute changes
Charleston County Council voted 7-1 to place a half-percent sales tax referendum on the November ballot that would raise $4.25 billion primarily for road projects, mass transit and land preservation. The tax would begin in 2027 when an existing one ends and last up to 25 years. A final amendment added a $17 million sound barrier for Northwood Estates in North Charleston and $2 million for bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Huger Street on the Charleston peninsula.
Ohio visitor dies after being pulled from water near Isle of Palms
A 41-year-old man visiting from Ohio died July 21 after being pulled from the water unresponsive near Isle of Palms, according to police. Members of the Isle of Palms fire and police departments performed CPR before Charleston County EMS transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
While the Francis Marion wildfire keeps growing, so does containment. What does that mean?
A wildfire in Francis Marion National Forest had consumed 1,011 acres by the evening of July 21, its fourth day of growth, with firefighters achieving 20 percent containment. The Forest Service initially estimated the fire at 15 acres when first reported on July 18 at 4 p.m., though a hotspot appeared about an hour and a half earlier. More than three dozen firefighters from the Forest Service and local jurisdictions are working to extinguish the flames; the cause is still unknown and pending investigation.
Cyclosporiasis outbreak tops 500 in NC with no known source while SC cases remain low
North Carolina has seen more than 561 cases of cyclosporiasis this year, with over 250 new cases in the past week, while South Carolina has recorded fewer than two dozen cases with no outbreak investigation underway. The CDC has narrowed a national outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants to 1,644 cases in five Midwest states, but North Carolina's outbreak source remains unknown. The parasite causes watery diarrhea and intestinal problems that can persist for days.
New family amusement center with restaurant, bar opening in Charleston area
Next Round Social, a family amusement center featuring arcade games, duckpin bowling, axe throwing and mini golf alongside a full restaurant and bar, is set to open Aug. 10 in North Charleston. Owners Erica and Mike Garriss designed the venue to offer downtown Charleston and West Ashley residents a closer alternative to distant entertainment parks, combining traditional arcade games with newer interactive technology.
This news briefing was created with the assistance of AI to summarize stories. The briefing was edited by a Post and Courier journalist before it was published.
