Hundreds gathered on Folly Beach on Sept. 30 to watch the release of three rehabilitated sea turtles.
The South Carolina Aquarium released Hope and Buffalo, two Kemp’s ridleys, and Honey, a loggerhead sea turtle, at the Folly Beach County Park. The turtles returned to the ocean after being nursed back to health in the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center.
The trio of turtles were all hooked by fishermen. Honey arrived with a carapace, or shell, wound and an infestation of leeches. Hope was severely underweight. During Buffalo’s recovery, it was discovered the turtle had ingested plastic.
Team members at the Sea Turtle Care Center prepare a turtle for its release into the ocean.
But after several months of care, the turtles were cleared for a Sept. 30 release, bringing the S.C. Aquarium just one release away from 500.
“Just like Honey, Hope and Buffalo — and the hundreds of sea turtles before them — the 500th release will undoubtedly reflect the compassion of our incredible community that comes together time and again to give these turtles a second chance,” said Melissa Ranly, manager of the aquarium’s care center.
Here’s what else is happening in the tri-county area.
Charleston
Cranes and orange construction cones have been placed in the area across from the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool on Charleston’s East Side.
Construction looks to be underway at 55 Lee St., where plans include building 88 affordable apartments for people ages 55 and up. It had been expected to begin in June, the newspaper previously reported.
Construction materials are pictured on Charleston’s East Side on Oct. 1, 2026. The area of 55 Lee St. will be developed into affordable housing for senior residents.
The city’s design review board and boards of zoning appeals will meet this week.
A private developer is set to request preliminary approval to build a mixed-use development on the Upper Peninsula during the Oct. 5 design review board meeting.
Plans call for two stories of retail space and five stories of residential space that could bring more than 330 units to 1450 Meeting Street Road. The property was formerly a Pepsi bottling plant. Catalyst Development Partners owns it, and Cline Design submitted the presentation that will come before the board.
The city’s board of zoning appeals for site design will convene Oct. 7. It will hear several applications with requests to remove grand oak trees, according to the meeting agenda.
— Kailey Cota
West Ashley
The Charleston Police Department is working to combat issues with trucks that attempt to park in the median of Savannah Highway while making deliveries.
This is a violation of state law and can cause traffic and safety concerns, according to department spokesperson Sgt. Daniel Wilson.
The police department made 53 citations and issued five warnings during the first nine months of the year, Wilson told The Post and Courier.
— Kailey Cota
North Charleston
The Park Circle Gallery is accepting applications for monthly exhibitions running July 2027 through June 2028. The city’s Cultural Arts Department manages the rotating exhibits that feature two or more artists at a time.
The gallery displays visual artwork by local and regional artists covering a variety of subjects and media. Visual artists are invited to apply individually or as a group. Artists must submit their proposals online by Nov. 30 at http://northcharlestonculturalartsdepartment.slideroom.com. A review panel will evaluate the submissions in December.
The gallery is located at 4820 Jenkins Ave. in the Park Circle neighborhood. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
A previous exhibition at the Park Circle Gallery showcased work by Chrys Corn Goodman and Lauren Ridenour. The gallery is seeking applications from local visual artists for 2027 and 2028 exhibitions.
Another way to explore local art is at the Park Circle Art Walk on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Starting at the Park Circle Community Building, guests can pick up a map of the art walk and grab a bite from a food truck. The art walk takes place on side streets and parks throughout the neighborhood, so the map serves as a guide to each location. A variety of art, from paintings and handmade jewelry to glassmaking and woodworking, will be on display. For more information, visit facebook.com/ParkCircleArtWalk.
— Kenna Coe
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents will have the chance to learn more about Charleston County’s Transportation Sales Tax on the ballot this November. Mayor Will Haynie will be at Moultrie Middle School on Coleman Boulevard to discuss the referendum and the numerous projects that could be funded by extending the current half-penny sales tax.
Two projects in Mount Pleasant made the final list: intersection improvements at Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and Houston Northcutt, and improvements to the Long Point Road corridor.
The meeting is set for Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. A virtual meeting for residents countywide will be held the following week, on Oct. 15. More information on how to attend that Zoom call can be found on charlestontransportation.com.
Folly Beach
Major construction to improve drainage and reduce flooding in Folly Beach’s commercial district is officially complete.
City leaders cut the ribbon on the Center Street Stormwater project on Oct. 1, marking the end to a monthslong project that had the city’s main street covered in orange safety barrels all summer.
Many businesses and employees along the main strip will be glad to see the construction crews pack up, as several told the newspaper last month that the project disrupted their peak season. Ultimately, the short-term disruption was needed to improve flooding conditions in the long term, Public Works Director Eric Lutz said last month.
With a price tag of over $7 million, the work included replacing the drain system beneath the road for the first time since the system was installed in the 1940s. The road was repaved and several new paved parking spots added.
— Anna Sharpe
The existing 5,000-square-foot Summerville Skate Park is set to double in size as part of a planned redesign of the space.
Summerville
Town officials released conceptual renderings for the redesign of the Summerville Skatepark, located at the corner of East Richland and South Magnolia streets.
The renderings come after town officials and 5th Pocket Skateparks, whom the town is working with on the redesign, met with skaters and community advocates over the summer to discuss plans to revitalize the park. The Summerville Journal Scene reported in July that skaters brought their ideas to the table, including updated obstacles, improved flow and transition zones, and better viewing areas.
The current 5,000-square-foot concrete park opened in 2013. It features ramps, obstacles and a bowl but currently lacks adequate parking, shade structures, restrooms and spectator areas. The revitalization is set to double the size of the park and address the lacking amenities.
Town spokesperson Chris Makowski said the project is still in the conceptual design phase, and officials are seeking feedback on the designs, which are available to view on the town’s Facebook page. Residents can share their thoughts on the renderings by commenting on the post or emailing recreation@summervillesc.gov.
— Komlavi Adissem
Berkeley County
Berkeley County EMS has equipped its ambulance fleet with Narcan kits in order to expand county overdose prevention efforts.
According to a news release, emergency medical personnel will provide kits to families, bystanders or individuals on scene following an opioid incident. Anyone who sees an on-duty county ambulance and EMS crew in the community can also request a free kit.
Narcan, the name brand of the medication naloxone, is used to reverse overdoes caused by opioids like fentanyl, heroin and even prescription painkillers. The kits for EMS are being funded through a grant from the S.C. Office of Substance Use Services.
“Our Paramedics and EMTs witness the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic firsthand every day,” Michael Shirey, the Berkeley County EMS chief, said in the release. “National Recovery Month reminds us that recovery is possible, but someone has to survive the overdose first to take that step. Placing Narcan kits on every single unit ensures our crews leave behind a second chance for individuals and their families.”
— Komlavi Adissem
Dorchester County
Sheriff Sam Richardson is bringing his town hall series to North Charleston as part of his department’s push to increase transparency and trust with the public.
The event will be held at the North Charleston Branch of the Dorchester County Library, located at 8620 Patriot Blvd., on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Richardson will be joined by Dorchester County Council members Rita May Ranck and Todd Friddle.
The event aims to provide residents an opportunity to engage with both elected officials and law enforcement, according to a news release announcing the event. Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions and discuss their concerns with Richardson and the council members.
— Komlavi Adissem
