Orthodontist near North Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON — Funds the city set aside to revive its anti-violence grant program that's been swept up in a federal corruption probe could now help finance an affordable housing project instead.

The $1.3 million Gun Violence Prevention Grant program, an initiative created by City Council in late 2022, doled out one-time $100,000 payments to 13 nonprofits working to tamp down violence across the city. A Post and Courier investigation later found city officials failed to thoroughly evaluate the nonprofits and track how the public funds were spent.

In February, the Federal Bureau of Investigation charged Councilman Jerome Heyward in a series of schemes, including accepting $40,000 in kickbacks from two nonprofit leaders in exchange for using his position to steer grant funds from the program their way. Heyward, one of eight people charged in the federal probe, resigned from public office before pleading guilty.

Also charged were the nonprofit leaders who allegedly paid Heyward to help secure the grant funds, Donavan Moten of Core4Success and Michelle Stint-Hilton of DEEP SC. They, along with Rose Lorenzo, a financial company owner who allegedly helped to facilitate the payments, were charged with bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering.

Despite the controversy, Mayor Reggie Burgess hoped to relaunch the program with a committee dedicated to overseeing the funds. In December 2024, City Council approved $1 million for the program with the guarantee that funds would not be distributed until the FBI concluded its inquiry.

Now, however, city officials said it's "unlikely" the grant money will be allocated to nonprofits this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Instead, officials are considering giving $600,000 of the funding to the North Charleston Housing Authority's nonprofit arm, called North Charleston Renaissance, to help finance a 120-unit affordable housing project on Eagle Landing Boulevard.

The city's Finance Committee approved the reallocation of the money during an April 17 meeting, though the item still must pass two City Council readings.

The reallocated funding would help bolster the North Charleston Housing Authority's 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit application for the first phase of the project. The competitive federal incentive program, administered by SC Housing, does not award more than one new construction application per county, according to the program's application.

The city's funds will only be transferred upon the Housing Authority receiving the award, which is expected to be announced in November.

The Housing Authority purchased the 6.5-acre lot in October 2023 for $3.85 million. A deserted movie theater once sat on the property located within walking distance to Northwoods Mall. The vacant lot is near the planned Lowcountry Rapid Transit bus line on Rivers Avenue, which is primed for future housing growth.

If awarded, the tax credit, combined with the city's grant, will support the financial closing of the project's first phase at the start of 2026, according to a letter from the Housing Authority. This phase includes 60 units designed for residents earning between 20 percent and 80 percent of the area's median income. For a single-person household, a $54,450 annual salary is 80 percent AMI in Charleston County.

Councilwoman Rhonda Jerome said during a committee meeting that the grant is a gift to the Housing Authority and the city will not be involved in the project's development.

Any leftover funds that were set aside for the anti-violence grant program that aren't allocated before the close of the fiscal year will return to the city's fund balance. If officials decide to pursue the grant program in the next fiscal year, the amount must be re-appropriated in that budget, according to city documents.

Burgess previously told The Post and Courier he wants to continue the program to reward the nonprofits that are making a positive impact on the community.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (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, which will take place on May 27. There are seven candidates running for the Moses’ District 3 seat and eight candidates running for Heyward’s District 5 seat.

But elections don’t just happen. They require organization, facilities and manpower. All of that costs money. 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. Most of our costs are personnel related, hiring a poll worker, 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.

In most cases, 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.

There is a bill in the state legislature that would streamline special elections. Senate Bill S.38 would change the election calendar to limit the number of special elections that could be held.

“It basically establishes four election dates a year,” Cramer said. “So, 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.”

Those dates would be in January, April, June and August. The state Senate passed the bill but it awaits action in the House.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Rising temperatures as the Lowcountry approaches the summer months comes the need for extra safety precautions for children when traveling on the road.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety cites a child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult. That can be deadly for children as a turned-off car can get 20 F hotter inside than outside temperatures.

Captain Fire Safety Coordinator Laura Kondor for the North Charleston Fire Department says the reason behind the steep rise in temperature is the lack of airflow.

“When you have a car sitting in a parking lot, the ground rises the temperature around the vehicle,” Kondor says. “Then you have inside the vehicle where the air is trapped and therefore cannot get any airflow out of the vehicle to cool the temperature down,” Kondor continues. “So, it’s kind of like an oven. The longer the temperature sits inside, it can sustain itself for long periods of time.”

South Carolina has seen 24 heatstroke deaths since 1998, according to the National Safety Council. The most recent case in the Charleston area happened in 2023.

Experts with Safe Kids Charleston Area, which is associated with the Medical University of South Carolina, say many of these incidents happen accidentally. Pediatric Injury Prevention Coordinator for Safe Kids Charleston Area Mary Beth Vassy says the deadly accidents may be a result of sleep-deprived parents or a change in daily routine.

“We just want to help create reminders so that parents can have something that actually helps them remember to make sure that that child is there,” Vassy says. “We can’t rely on daycares and schools to call if the child does not show up, if the parent is not the normal one to drop the child off and things like that. Our day care workers already have enough on their plates.”

Fire and health experts say car safety begins with properly installed car seats as well. Vassy says seats should be properly installed in the backseat as per manufacturing instructions based on the child’s height, weight and age.

Kondor says many cases of child injury from improper car seat installation are children coming out of seats before they are age or height appropriate. She also says car seats are often forward-facing instead of rear-facing too soon.

Parents are suggested to follow the safety acronym ACT. The acronym means “Avoid heatstroke, Create reminders and Take action.”

Parents with children are encouraged to leave items such as phones, purses or briefcases in the backseat to help remember children. They should also follow the motto “Look before you Lock” when exiting the vehicle.

Kondor says to call 911 if a child is alone in a car and bring the child to a cool place if adults can get the child out of the car before first responders arrive.

The North Charleston Fire Department hosts car seat checks throughout the year. Safe Kids Charleston Area also hosts safety events throughout the Tri-County. More information on safety opportunities and car seat checks are available here.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Shrimp and grits have long since been a staple in Lowcountry kitchens. Ask a local who has the best, and they are likely to answer that they, or their mother, makes it best. Restaurants eventually adopted the combination of sea and land and can now be found in almost every establishment that claims to serve Southern fare. Some menus keep it simple with just crustaceans and grains, but others fancy it up with peppers, sausage, tomatoes, or tasso ham.

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Start with some Geechie wings at Nigel’s Good Food and then go for Grandma Fred’s shrimp and grits with onions, bell peppers, bacon, and sausage.

Of course a restaurant named the Grit Counter will have a shrimp-topped option — this one comes with smoked gouda grits, peppers, onions, scallions, and tasso ham red-eye gravy.

Mount Pleasant staple Page's puts Ashleigh's “famous” shrimp and grits on the dinner menu. Chef Ashleigh Page makes her plate with lightly fried grit cakes and an andouille cream sauce.

Step into the stunning dining room at the Darling for brunch on Sunday and order the shrimp and grits with cheddar grits, crispy Brussels, country ham, and fennel — add a fried egg for $1.

Perpetually packed diner Early Bird gives patrons a choice of shrimp sautéed with tomato bacon gravy or fried with sweet and spicy jelly — that is, if customers can resist the famous chicken and waffles.

Seafood stop Delaney Oyster House offers shrimp and grits at brunch on the weekends. This version offers blackened crustaceans over cheesy Jimmy Red corn grits.

Using only East Coast seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers multiple variations of shrimp and grits on the menu. Choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.

The Southern food masters at the Glass Onion provide a substantial plate of shrimp and grits with Creole tomatoes on the regular and brunch menu. For those feeling extra hungry, start with one of the restaurant's signature deviled eggs before the main course hits the table.

Cozy up in a booth and stare at the water at Marina Variety Store, as you wait for your fried green tomatoes and shrimp over creamy grits with two eggs.

The Husk menu changes every day, so check before heading in for a plate of shrimp and grits (it's on heavy rotation though, so you'll likely find it). Recently, the dish was shrimp in a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce and collards.

Plan a nap after eating 82 Queen’s bowl of creamy, buttery grits topped with shrimp tossed in barbecue sauce and sprinkles of cheese and bacon — it’s more than hearty.

Popular brunch spot Millers All Day serves its Jimmy Red corn grits with shrimp, tasso ham, local mushrooms, scallions, and toasted benne seeds.

Start with some Geechie wings at Nigel’s Good Food and then go for Grandma Fred’s shrimp and grits with onions, bell peppers, bacon, and sausage.

Of course a restaurant named the Grit Counter will have a shrimp-topped option — this one comes with smoked gouda grits, peppers, onions, scallions, and tasso ham red-eye gravy.

Mount Pleasant staple Page's puts Ashleigh's “famous” shrimp and grits on the dinner menu. Chef Ashleigh Page makes her plate with lightly fried grit cakes and an andouille cream sauce.

Step into the stunning dining room at the Darling for brunch on Sunday and order the shrimp and grits with cheddar grits, crispy Brussels, country ham, and fennel — add a fried egg for $1.

Perpetually packed diner Early Bird gives patrons a choice of shrimp sautéed with tomato bacon gravy or fried with sweet and spicy jelly — that is, if customers can resist the famous chicken and waffles.

Seafood stop Delaney Oyster House offers shrimp and grits at brunch on the weekends. This version offers blackened crustaceans over cheesy Jimmy Red corn grits.

Using only East Coast seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers multiple variations of shrimp and grits on the menu. Choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.

The Southern food masters at the Glass Onion provide a substantial plate of shrimp and grits with Creole tomatoes on the regular and brunch menu. For those feeling extra hungry, start with one of the restaurant's signature deviled eggs before the main course hits the table.

Cozy up in a booth and stare at the water at Marina Variety Store, as you wait for your fried green tomatoes and shrimp over creamy grits with two eggs.

The Husk menu changes every day, so check before heading in for a plate of shrimp and grits (it's on heavy rotation though, so you'll likely find it). Recently, the dish was shrimp in a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce and collards.

Plan a nap after eating 82 Queen’s bowl of creamy, buttery grits topped with shrimp tossed in barbecue sauce and sprinkles of cheese and bacon — it’s more than hearty.

Popular brunch spot Millers All Day serves its Jimmy Red corn grits with shrimp, tasso ham, local mushrooms, scallions, and toasted benne seeds.