Roofing Contractor inJames Island, SC.

For The Press and Standard

Congratulations to the Colleton County High School BIG BLUE Jazz Band for earning the first ever Superior rating at the 2023 South Carolina Band Directors Association Jazz Performance Assessment Festival. Big Blue Jazz earned straight superior rankings for all 3 of the judges at the event held at Newberry College, March 4th.

The Jazz band traveled to Newberry College and was one of 80 ensembles to perform for comments and a rating. Associate Director Nick Infinger stated “we are extremely proud of our band members and their hard work. The jazz ensemble has grown so much musically and really played well today.”

This is only the third time Colleton County High School has sent a Jazz band to the state festival, the last being pre-covid in 2020. The jazz band meets only once a week after school and is open to any band member. Several students are learning a second or different instrument.

The CCHS BIG BLUE Jazz Band includes the following members:

Flute: Arika Deshane,

Alto Saxes: Kevin White, Kamron Longfellow, Dashaad Fishburne, Alex Green, Josh King, Neveah Smith

Tenor Saxes: Amber Parker, and Carla Harrison

Baritone Sax: Cameron Thigpen

Trumpets: Abe Green, Sean Nunez, Jade Amundson, Nora Holmes, Marrissa Hill, Emma Bailey, Aiden Risher, Ashley Garcia, Morgan Stewart

Trombones: Derek Oliver, Shawn Jacques, Charley Crabb, Maddux Phelps, TreQuan Stokes, Sarah Wilson, Jada Christian, Allie Sluess, Zahriana Gethers, Jacob Deshane

Bass Guitar: Caroline Herndon

Rhythm Guitar: Dominick Jackson

Piano: Princeton Brooks

Drum Set: Andrea James, Dominick Jackson, Marquez Kirkland

The CCHS Big Blue Jazz Band performed three selections: “On Broadway” featuring Dominick Jackson on Guitar and Cameron Thigpen on Bari Sax, Georgia On My Mind by Hoagey Charmichael featuring Abe Greene on Trumpet, Kevin White and Kamron Longfellow on Alto Sax and Derick Oliver and Shawn Jacques on Trombone and finally ending with “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington featuring Kamron Longfellow on Alto Sax

The Band of Blue Concert Band will perform at the 2023 South Carolina Band Directors Association State Concert Performance Assessment at James Island High School on March 16th .

The Concert Band will play perform in Class 4.

The CCMS Bands Combined 7th and 8th grade band will perform the next week at the 2023 SCBDA CPA for Middle School Bands at Duboise Middle School on March 21st

CCHS Winter Guard and Winter Percussion will be competing at River Bluff High School on March 11th and then at the 2022 CWEA Indoor Championships later in April.

The Band of Blue with the CCMS Band, CCHS Winter Percussion, Winter Guard and BIG BLUE Jazz Band will perform at their annual Spring Concert, Sunday, March 26 at 4pm. Tickets are $2 at the door.

The Band Director is Tom Finigan with assistance from Nick Infinger, Cathy Meshach, Clay Blackwood, and Jason Johnson.

The Principal of Colleton County High School is Maurice Cannon and the Principal of Colleton County Middle School is Michael Kiett.

What is Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®)?

For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.

The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.

MIOSM and the events surrounding it are the ideal opportunities for increasing awareness of the benefits of high quality music education programs in our nation’s schools. NAfME hopes that teachers, students, and music supporters alike will find ways to join in on the celebration through creative activities and advocacy. Learn more about how NAfME works to support music education.

Cyclists, walkers and joggers going through James Island to Folly Beach are one step closer to what officials hope is safer and easier travel.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Cyclists, walkers and joggers going through James Island to Folly Beach are one step closer to what officials hope is safer and easier travel.

The Rethink Folly Road Complete Streets Initiative focuses on improving connectivity and reducing congestion on Folly Road.

The steering committee made up of officials from Charleston County, the city of Charleston, James Island and Folly Beach held their quarterly meeting Wednesday to go over where this project stands.

As far as the phase one update, Charleston County says we are seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The state’s department of transportation and health has officially approved the permits for phase one of Rethink Folly Road, according to a Charleston County official.

Phase one is the initial phase of the bike and pedestrian accommodation project, which includes mixed-use paths or lane markings, but construction cannot start just yet.

James Island Mayor Bill Woolsey says they are thinking of beach traffic and how this would impact construction if it were to start in the summer.

In addition to less traffic, these islanders could also see a beach shuttle connecting Folly Beach to James Island, sometime in the future. The town of James Island put out a survey on this to see if people would really use it.

“There is an interest if we can make the ride feasible,” Jenny Costa Honeycutt, Charleston County District 9 councilmember, said. “That is get out there in a way that makes it, encourages people to ride it instead of simply driving and waiting in traffic on their own.”

A survey that pulled in 400 responses from people on James Island, West Ashley and beyond says 77% of people would use a beach shuttle with 23% would not.

When asked if they would take a 10-minute ride in the shuttle in an alternative lane passing traffic, 86% said yes and 14% said no. When asked if they would take a 45-minute ride in the shuttle in the same lane of traffic, 19% said yes and 81% said no.

Katie Zimmerman, executive director of Charleston Moves, says this data could create transit opportunities in the future.

“I think the results are really telling and really useful,” Zimmerman said. “And its information we keep in the back of our minds proceeding forward.”

Charleston County says they are anticipating a 300-day construction timeline for phase one. There is not a set date of when that will start as of now.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

A Lowcountry town is reminding people to keep an eye out for the Asian longhorned beetle. It’s a small bug with potentially big consequences.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Lowcountry town is reminding people to keep an eye out for the Asian longhorned beetle. It’s a small bug with potentially big consequences.

The invasive species threatens a lot of different trees by chewing away bark and eventually killing the tree. South Carolina is one of four states that is fighting advances by the bug, according to the USDA.

The Town of James Island shared an infographic about the bug, reminding residents to report sightings of the bug because there are special measures that need to be taken if they’re spotted.

A local pest control expert with a focus on the environment, Kevin Reif says he saw one just last week.

“We don’t necessarily get too many calls about it. This is more of a rare thing that we do see, but it is something that we do want homeowners to be aware of. The biggest thing is just identification of knowing what it is whenever you do see it,” Reif explains.

They are recognized for their one-to-two-inch black bodies with long black and white striped antenna. They have six legs and white spots. They often leave pencil sized and perfectly round holes in a tree, along with chewed circles of bark.

Researchers at Clemson University say it is extremely unlikely that an adult beetle will be seen, especially outside of the months of late May to August. Therefore they encourage the public to look for other signs of damage on host trees, including egg sites and exit holes. You can report sightings to the research department here.

If you see one, you’re asked to report it to U.S. Department of Agriculture hotline who track the bug’s movements and population. You should also call a pest control expert who is familiar with the quarantine rules for the bug.

“If a homeowner does find one, put it in a jar if you’re if you’re willing to you can even freeze it just to kind of contain it. The biggest thing is going to be just knowing exactly what it is and then just giving somebody a call,” Reif says.

Reif also says there’s no need to be afraid of them, since they aren’t harmful to people or pets, but do pose the threat to the trees if they go unchecked.

The Town of James Island posted the reminder to be on the looking for bugs on the town Facebook page. The town provided the following statement about their recent post:

“Portions of Charleston County have been under quarantine for a few years, so we need to be sure we remind folks to keep an eye out and report any potential sightings to the USDA. While James Island is not included within the quarantine boundaries, we still need to be diligent in this effort to limit the impact on the natural landscape that makes our area so unique and beautiful.”

Reif says it’s important to report the bug, and ideally trap it to be a part of the documentation and control.

“Our trees are really close together here and sometimes you have limbs touching. And the worst thing that we could see happen is for that beetle to expand. And so if we can mitigate that and kind of quarantine the issue quicker, you’re going to be a big help with that,” Reif explains.

He says the rare calls mean the Asian longhorned beetle isn’t a rampant problem in South Carolina or the Lowcountry, but he has seen them and wants people to know what to do if they do. He says action early will prevent any damages to the environment.

“The biggest threat, it would cause us is really just our trees, our environment here. The birds - they have to live somewhere and a lot of other species use these beautiful trees to have their habitat in. And so that beetle is causing a much bigger issue on environmental and more of an ecosystem standpoint,” Reif says.

You can report a sighting and read more about the beetle, here.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

South Carolina House budget writers aimed to continue investing in economic development and the people of the state, the House’s lead writer says of the Ways and Means Committee budget proposal approved last week.

Among the investments is money to prepare land for companies to locate, to freeze college tuition rates, to create new state parks and create a center for school safety.

Lawmakers have about $3.5 billion in new annual and one-time revenue to spend in this spring’s budget discussions for the spending year that begins July 1. In total, the House budget-writing committee proposed a $13.8 billion spending plan.

The full House is scheduled to debate the budget the week of March 13. After House approval, the Senate will start its deliberations.

Budget writers also had to take into account the second year of a scheduled tax cut that lowers the maximum income tax rate from 6.5% to 6.4%. The cut keeps about $96 million out of state coffers.

“I think this budget is an investment in the people and prosperity in South Carolina,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville. “Low taxes, conservative budgeting, aggressive economic development efforts lead to a strong economy, which leads to additional opportunity to invest in the people and the economy in South Carolina.”

Among the planned expenditures, budget writers want to give $200 million to the S.C. Department of Commerce for economic development site preparation such as putting in roads, water and sewer infrastructure to sites for major economic development projects. An additional $5.5 million would go to the agency to update its branding efforts when marketing to businesses.

“Site preparation is critical to developing a competitive edge for South Carolina in the southeast to attract companies that can be economic drivers for our state and on a local level,” said state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston.

The Ways and Means Committee also proposed spending $25 million on state park development, upgrades and maintenance.

The state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism has acquired land to build out the Ramsey Grove State Park in Georgetown County, Fort Johnson State Park in James Island and Black River State Park in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties.

The last park opened by PRT was H. Cooper Black in Cheraw in 2006.

“To the degree we can add unique and special things for our citizens to enjoy and that will further draw people to South Carolina to contribute to our local economy, that’s a win for us,” Stavrinakis said. “These are amazing properties and pieces of land that we’re preserving or making special places out of them.”

Budget writers also included $3.2 million to create a center for school safety at the former Gilbert Elementary School in Lexington 1. The center was among the recommendations made by Gov. Henry McMaster in his proposed budget and is in line with the plan to have a school resource officer at every school in the state.

“Having regular training sessions is really a response to (what happened in) Uvalde’s failure to act, ‘Hey, this is what you do when there’s an active shooter,’ and they’re going to go work on that and that’ll be part of their training,” Bannister said.

In-state college students also are in line to not face an increase in their tuition rates for the fifth year in a row. House budget writers proposed $69 million for tuition mitigation to freeze tuition rates for in-state students.

“We wanted to focus on the access and affordability in higher education for our young students across the state,” said state Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington. “Freezing tuition prices obviously prevents an increased burden on families and our students throughout the state.”

House budget writers also want to spend $196 million for Medicaid and Medicare programs.

Part of the expense includes replacing matching dollars lost from a decrease in federal funding because the state’s economy is doing well, Medicare premium increases, increased reimbursement rates, increased costs for inflation and other costs to maintain the same level of service in the state.

“This will draw more providers to our underserved communities and that’s been a goal of our subcommittee for the past five or six years,” said state Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Beaufort, who leads a panel overseeing health care spending.

Again not included in the budget proposal is money for to start building Interstate 73 to connect Interstate 95 to Myrtle Beach, a roadway that would encourage economic development in the Grand Strand and help with hurricane evacuations.

McMaster and Horry County lawmakers last year sought $300 million to start the highway, a recommendation the governor pushed for again this year. However, lawmakers included $200 million to speed up bridge work planned by the S.C. Department of Transportation around the state.

“My feel for the House is there’s still a very strong desire to fix the (current) interstate system,” Bannister said. “That we have to make sure that it’s up to snuff before we start building new roads.”

The initial budget proposed by Ways and Means does not include member-directed spending for projects in their districts.

Member projects are expected to be added when the House receives the budget back from the Senate. In recent years some earmarked projects have been controversial, including how money went to a nonprofit run by a lawmaker’s friend and how an Upstate Christian organization wanted to use state dollars to build a school.

Bannister said the Ways and Means Committee is working on the best way to review projects before they get state money, to make sure organizations or nonprofits that get dollars are in good standing, and if the project is worth the investment.

“We’re trying to figure out if there’s a way to vet those projects better than we have in the past,” Bannister said.

Bannister did not know how many member projects would ultimately be included but the committee has billions in requests.

Chefs, restaurateurs, and investors in North and South Carolina continue to open restaurants and bars at an increasing pace. As always, Eater is obsessively tracking the progression of all the premiers — from menu releases to newly installed signage, come here for the latest updates. This list encapsulates the places garnering excitement this spring.

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: 697 Haywood Road Key Players: Chef/restaurateur Meherwan IraniProjected Opening: JuneAfter successful stints in Atlanta and Charlotte, Indian restaurant Botiwalla expands to West Asheville in the former BimBeriBon space. Botiwalla comes from Chai Pani owner Meherwan Irani and focuses on late-night foods of India, like chicken tikka skewers, lamb burgers, chaat,

Location: 56 Patton Avenue in the S&W Market Key Players: Katie Grabach and Peyton Barrell Projected Opening: SoonThe newest addition to Asheville food hall the S&W Market, Gourmand will be a spot for cheese, charcuterie, wine, oysters, and baguette sandwiches from New Orleans couple Katie Grabach and Peyton Barrell. Look for plenty of rillettes, terrines, and pickled eggs too.

Location: 1400 Patton Avenue Key Players: Pitmaster Elliott Moss Projected Opening: Late springFollowing the surprise opening of Little Louie’s in March, former Buxton Hall Barbecue chef Elliott Moss will open another comfort food spot named Regina’s. The restaurant will be an homage to greasy spoon diners of the past with plenty of classics on the menu.

Also, keep an eye on:• Areta’s (Mission Hospital Area)• Good Hot Fish (Unknown)

CARY, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: Mixed-use development FentonKey Players: Chef/owner Scott CrawfordProjected Opening: SoonChef Scott Crawford (Crawford and Son, Jolie, and Crawford Cookshop) continues the expansion of his empire with the forthcoming opening of Crawford Brothers Steakhouse. The latest addition will be Crawford’s playground for American steakhouse classics, specializing in dry-aged beef.

Also, keep an eye on:• Doc B’s Restaurant (Fenton)• Saap (Downtown)

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Location: 128 Columbus StreetKey Players: David and Tina SchuttenbergProjected Opening: JuneThe owners of James Island Sichuan restaurant Kwei Fei, David and Tina Schuttenberg, will soon bring Cantonese cuisine to downtown development the Guild. Beautiful South will offer dishes from the couple’s popular Lady Xian pop-up, like golden fried rice, char sui lo mein, General Tso chicken, and more. The menu will evolve from there to offer a range of items from southern China (hence the name) and dim sum.

Location: 1640 Meeting Street RoadKey Players: Nick Dowling and Jeremiah SchenzelProjected Opening: SpringFrom the team behind popular breakfast spot Dap’s, Cleats will be a restaurant featuring sports and sandwiches, which sounds commonplace, but co-owners Nick Dowling and Jeremiah Schenzel don’t do boring. They’re calling it a “sporty sammy public house.”

Location: 15 Beaufain StreetKey Players: Chef Michael ToscanoProjected Opening: SpringLe Farfalle chef Michael Toscano will bring his cult-favorite porchetta sandwich to the West Side, along with other breakfast and lunch items, all on the shop’s housemade focaccia. “The whole place is based around our focaccia — there’s no other bread,” says Toscano, “Imagine having a crusty, warm piece of focaccia with ricotta and a seasonal marmellata for breakfast.”

Location: 251 Meeting StreetKey Players: Chef/owner Maryam Ghaznavi and husband Raheel GaubaProjected Opening: SoonPakistani restaurant Ma’am Saab started as a pop-up, went into a food stall at Workshop, and will now set up residence in the former Jestine’s Kitchen space on Meeting Street. Ma’am Saab serves comfort food from Pakistan, like kababs, pakoras, and more.

Location: 2366 Ashley River RoadKey Players: Pitmaster Hector GarateProjected Opening: March 2023Pitmaster Hector Garate wanted to join the new wave of smoked meat aficionados putting their unique cultural spin on what is typically considered American barbecue. What started as a hobby, smoking brisket for his family, became pop-up Palmira Barbecue and is now set to be a brick-and-mortar establishment. Garate pulls the best bits of flavors and techniques from Texas, North Carolina, and his native home Puerto Rico to create his menu of juicy beef cheeks, smoky pulled pork, and rich barbacoa.

Also, keep an eye on:• Chameleon Club (Downtown)• Clarence Foster’s Cookery & Saloon (Downtown)• Colectivo (Johns Island)• Costa (Downtown)• Da Toscano Porchetta Shop (Downtown)• King BBQ (North Charleston)• Matador (Downtown)• Mix (Mount Pleasant)• The Pickle Bar (Summerville)• Sugey’s (Downtown)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: 1220 South Tryon StreetKey Players: Restaurateurs Greg and Subrina CollierProjected Opening: SpringBeloved breakfast eatery Uptown Yolk will reopen in a bigger space in South End. Look for chicken and waffles, cheesy grits, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and more.

Also, keep an eye on:• Chapter 6 (South End)• Maíz, Agua, Sal (West Charlotte)• Pizza Baby (Wesley Heights)• Rosemont Market and Wine Bar (Elizabeth)• State of Confusion (LoSo)• The Club House Kitchen & Cocktails (Plaza Midwood)

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: 300 Blackwell Street, in the American Tobacco CampusKey Players: Restaurateurs Zweli and Leonardo WilliamsProjected Opening: SoonRestaurateurs Zweli and Leonardo Williams opened Zimbabwean restaurant Zweli’s in 2018, and now they will expand with a second establishment named Ekhaya. Located in Durham’s American Tobacco Campus, in the former Saladelia space, Ekhaya will focus on cuisine from Bantu communities from across Africa, served tapas-style, in a high-end setting.

Location: 810 North Mangum StreetKey Players: Chef Oscar DiazProjected Opening: Early AprilThe chef behind lauded Raleigh restaurant Cortez Seafood + Cocktail, Oscar Diaz, branches out to Durham with the opening of Little Bull this spring. Diaz wants to redefine American comfort food through his view as a first-generation Mexican-American who grew up in Chicago and ended up in the South. Look for items like dumplings stuffed with birria and served with giardiniera chimi churri and confit papas.

Location: 806 West Main StreetKey Players: Chef Matt KellyProjected Opening: SpringDurham darling Nana’s opened in 1992, under chef Scott Howell, as a fine dining restaurant and quickly rose to acclaim. The menu was seasonal new Southern cuisine with heavy French and Italian influences. After the restaurant closed, chef Matt Kelly (Mateo, Mother & Sons, and Vin Rouge) took an interest and decided he wanted to keep the tradition going. “Nana’s has always been a great neighborhood restaurant in the American South,” says Kelly, “and that’s what I want to do.”

Also, keep an eye on:• Emmy Squared (Downtown)• Max Jr.’s (Brightleaf District)

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: Boxyard RTPKey Players: Pitmaster Jake WoodProjected Opening: Early 2023Pitmaster Jake Wood (Lawrence BBQ and Lagoon) created a frenzy in Raleigh when he introduced a birria taco special utilizing his smoked brisket. This sparked the idea for Leroy’s Tacos n Beers, which will serve birria, Tajin wings, micheladas, and more — all with a side of ‘90s nostalgia in the vibes and decor.

Also, keep an eye on:• Brodeto (Raleigh Iron Works)• The Mill (Olde Raleigh Village Shopping Center)• The Preserve (Unknown)• Village Tavern (North Hills)