Commercial Roof Repair in Walterboro, SC

Walterboro, S.C. (WCIV) — Walterboro had been in the spotlight for six weeks.

The front porch of the Lowcountry was busy with journalists, trial watchers, and the attention of people from across the country.

The trial is over, but what was the economic impact on the city?

For weeks Main Street, right behind the Colleton County Courthouse, was full of people looking for coffee and food.

At Twig, a boutique in Walterboro, traffic picked up in some areas but lacked in others.

"There was a lot of activity at the courthouse, but it didn’t trickle down," said Jessica Burdick, co-owner of Twig.

Burdick opened a coffee counter in her shop when the trial started, which made business boom. She started opening two hours early to meet the traffic and demands of hundreds of people.

"Folks around here were like, oh man, you know, be helpful serve coffee to people waiting in line at the courthouse, the law enforcement that stands around forever stuff like that, and so we got some and did a temporary coffee bar here," said Burdick.

On Saturday, she and her sister opened Colleton Coffee on Main Street. That was always in the plans but came the day after the trial ended.

Main Street wasn't the only busy place in Walterboro during the trial.

"Walterboro had a fairly significant impact. All hotels full, restaurants did a very good business other businesses," said Scott Groosm, Director of Tourism and Downtown development in Walterboro.

"It had a positive impact on us- we don’t know exactly how much yet, but as we get the returns in from accommodation tax and hospitality tax, we will be able to compare that," said Bill Young, mayor of Walterboro.

Although businesses did well, the city of Walterboro also invested a lot of money into the trial.

" We knew we couldn’t do anything about why people were coming here, but we could do something about the impression we made on people once they got here," said Young.

Extra law enforcement, fences, bathrooms, and high-speed wifi were necessary to make things run smoothly.

"It was a burden on us. I know I saw a figure that, over time, police 35,000. Taj ma stalls were a significant investment. It was something we had to have media and folks in courthouse comfortable we didn’t have enough restrooms," said Grooms.

Life on the front porch of the Lowcountry will continue as usual. Mayor Young said he is thankful people got to see what it's all about.

"People that never even knew where Walterboro existed now around the world know of Walterboro and where Walterboro is, so that is a plus for us," said Young.

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCIV) — Walterboro residents are coming together to keep registered sex offenders out of their neighborhood.

Shield Ministries, a nonprofit organization, is planning to open their third treatment center at a vacant church campus in Walterboro.

Read More: Walterboro residents concerned by plans for halfway house with sex offenders

In Shield Ministries' 2021 annual report, 70 percent of their applicants are registered as sex offenders.

Neighbors say that has them worried for their children.

"When parents can't let their children go out to their yard and play because of fear, what quality of life is that?" asked Kevin Lyles, a resident who lives nearby.

Stepdaughter of Shield Ministries director fights against his sex offender rehab plans. (WCIV)

Executive Director of Shield Ministries David Truluck is also a registered sex offender.

His stepdaughter joining the fight to stop his ministry.

"David is my abuser. I am Melody Truluck's daughter and he is my stepfather. I actually know how these people are, and the second Melody found out about the abuse she immediately blamed me for everything," Meagan Bishop said at the meeting.

Bishop said her stepfather molested her when she was 11-years-old.

Read More: Supreme Court rules South Carolina's lifelong sex offender registry unconstitutional

She said when the news came out, her mother immediately gave up custody of all three of children to stay with David.

"If she didn’t care about her own children at that time, does this community really think she will care about other peoples' children and protecting them from him or the pedophiles that are coming straight from prison? It’s like their first stop," Bishop said.

She said David spent two days in jail and then was put on probation, something she refers to as a slap on the wrist.

Bishop said this is not a personal vendetta, instead it is to protect others from her abuser.

Read More: SC Gov. issues crackdown on bail bondsmen, cites 'revolving door' repeat offenders

"I never thought I’d have to face these people again or see them or have anything to do with them, but if I could share my story and warn these people that its going to directly affect about how much of a sham this ministry really is, then I can feel like I have done something right," Bishop said.

When asked about his arrest, Truluck said:

"We do want to work with the community and engage the community to ensure that all concerns are addressed and that we are providing a safe environment for the community.”

Truluck said Shield Ministries is willing to listen to the community.

Read More: Walterboro man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual assault of 12-year-old girl

But neighbors like Lyles aren’t so sure.

"When you have a pedophile leading pedophiles it puts a really bad taste in your mouth. If you save 100 or 1000 peoples lives and it’s at the expense of one child, is the risk worth the reward?" Lyles asked.

The community’s next plan of action is to create a petition to take to Colleton County Council.

There is no word yet on which council meeting they plan to attend.

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) – Community members are concerned about a new ministry that is set to open in the Walterboro area.

Shield Ministries, an organization that claims to help convicted sex offenders rehabilitate and re-enter society, will open its doors off Barracada Road near Highway 17-A.

About 50 men could be housed at the property at any given time as the first phase of their three-phase program to help the men improve their lives.

“Shield Ministries is an organization that works to help men transition from the devastation of their past into a thriving future,” explained David Truluck, executive director for Shield Ministries.

But those who live nearby say they are concerned about having sex offenders so close to their homes, children, and grandchildren.

“I’ve lived here for 35 years. I love Walterboro. I love the community,” said neighbor Lisa Langdale.

Langdale is worried about what is going in at this old church site in her rural neighborhood. “I’m just really concerned about living in the neighborhood, for our children, and living in the neighborhood even for myself,” she said.

She’s even part of a new Facebook group that has gained more than 600 followers.

“What do you say to people who maybe they live nearby, they have children or grandchildren at their house, and they’re concerned? What would you say to them,” we asked Truluck.

“Well, we have been a big asset to the community. When you look at our history, we have great relationships with law enforcement agencies,” Truluck replied.

There is also concern about Truluck, personally, because he is a registered sex offender.

“I believe the offense was committ or attempt a lewd act on a child. Do you understand why people might be concerned about an organization that you’re leading being right there in their neighborhood as well,” News 2 asked.

“I do understand why they would be concerned about that, but one of the things I would like to communicate to them is, I’ve been through the process of healing I’ve been through court-ordered counseling, which we will be providing,” he replied.

When asked if he could guarantee that none of the men in the program would bring harm to anyone in the community, Truluck said “I don’t think we could give that type of guarantee,” but cited the program’s “zero percent recidivism” rate.

A community meeting geared toward showcasing the proposal will take place Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. across from Tractor Supply on Bells Highway in Walterboro.

Leaders with Shield Ministries say they are in the process of getting the property ready to open, however, they do not have a specific opening date at this time.

The City of Walterboro has been accepted into a state program to revitalize their historic downtown area in hopes of bringing economic success to the community.

Published: Mon Jan 09 2023

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Walterboro has been accepted into a state program to revitalize their historic downtown area in hopes of bringing economic success to the community.

Walterboro joins over 30 other communities like Beaufort, Kingstree, and Orangeburg in the Main Street South Carolina network, which aims to address issues that challenge historic commercial districts.

“People who have grown up in this town have seen it gone from a very vibrant, bustling downtown that had pharmacies, restaurants, banks,” Scott Grooms, director of tourism and downtown development for the City of Walterboro said. “I’d love to see downtown just totally populated again with that to where people come downtown to shop and do day to day business.”

Business owners downtown say they love the area’s southern charm and small town feel but agree that some updates would bring in more business.

“I think we have incredible potential I just think we need some help in realizing what all we have,” Jessica Burdick, owner of Twig Boutique, said.

In the coming weeks, Main Street SC will come to Walterboro and bring in a research crew to find out what the city is doing right, and what they could do better, holding meetings with stakeholders, residents, and public officials to find out their vision for downtown. Then, they will assist Walterboro in coming up with strategies to achieve that vision.

“I think it’s gonna bring new business, a lot of potential for a lot of our local people for things different to do, and hopefully some beautification and some buildings that are currently empty, to fill those as well,” Heather Larson, co-owner of Colleton Day Spa, said.

Before the team arrives, the city has posted a survey asking people who live, work, and spend time in Walterboro to share what they think the most pressing issues facing downtown are, what types of businesses they would like to see, and more.

You can find that survey here. You’re encouraged to submit honest feedback about what you would like to see downtown until Jan. 25.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

A few weeks ago, I took up for the city of Walterboro, South Carolina after its leaders got some grief over their preparations for ‘Murdaughpalooza’ – a.k.a. the double homicide trial of accused killer Alex Murdaugh.

In case you missed that report, a vocal minority covering this trial are apparently upset with Walterboro’s leaders for wanting to provide the throng of people descending upon their city over the next few weeks with additional dining options (including food trucks).

The horror, right?

Imagine people needing to eat …

In rebuking these critics, I noted how our trial producer Ashleigh Messervy (whom you can read more about in this post) had been busy working up several segments for a report on how Walterboro – a.k.a. the “Front Porch of the Lowcountry” – was preparing for the ‘Murdaughpalooza’ influx.

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Messervy sat down with Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill and city tourism and downtown development director Scott Grooms – the “Murdaughpalooza’ organizers – to hear more about their plans for hosting an O.J. Simpson-sized trial in a town of less than 6,000 people.

For months, Hill and Grooms have been working around-the-clock on multiple fronts to make sure both the city and the courthouse were ready for the deluge – and to ensure everyone flocking to Walterboro to catch a glimpse of these historic proceedings knew what to expect.

It has been a Herculean task – a definitional logistical nightmare – but Hill, Grooms and countless other city, court and law enforcement partners working with them have proven themselves more than equal to the task.

Here is Messervy’s report on their preparations for South Carolina’s “trial of the century …”

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Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children.

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