Junk Removal in North Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON — A piece of property that has remained owned by a Liberty Hill founding family for 150 years is now bringing new beginnings to residents.

The eight-unit Golden Dream Townhomes that includes one- to three-bedroom apartments is a partnership between the Lecque family and Metanoia, a nonprofit that seeks to provide affordable housing options for North Charleston residents.

Metanoia’s 50-year ground lease on the Lester Street property provides affordable housing opportunities for decades while the Lecque family maintains ownership.

Real Estate

“We’ve always been in the housing business,” said Carolyn Lecque, the great-great-granddaughter of William Lecque, one of the four freedmen who purchased the land in 1871 along with his brother Plenty Lecque, Aaron Middleton and Ishmael Grant.

Carolyn Lecque said her father completed several housing projects on the Lester Street property. He moved housing units from the former Navy base hospital to the property to open the Golden Dream Motel, named after a dream he had one night of a golden lining, Lecque said.

Now, Golden Dream Townhomes continues that legacy.

“I’m really happy for them,” said Lecque. “They’ll have safe, decent and affordable housing because that’s rare in these days and times.”

One of the residents, Ervin Clark, who uses a wheelchair, struggled to find affordable housing that was accessible after leaving Riverside Health and Rehab. During one of his weekly visits to the laundromat, he met Duncan Cheney, director of physical asset development with Metanoia, who mentioned the Golden Dream Townhome project.

“Being in a wheelchair I have stipulations on things, like I have to make sure there’s no steps, I have to make sure I can get inside the house,” said Clark, who is a graphic design artist. “I have to put all that in front of how much the rent might cost.”

Finding Golden Dream Townhomes relieved the stress and uncertainty of finding a home that meets his needs, he said. Now, the 46-year-old is looking forward to getting to know his neighbors and building a community.

“When people live stably, they’re able to do better for themselves, which is ultimately our mission,” said Bill Stanfield, CEO of Metanoia.

Those who qualify for the townhomes make between 30 percent and 80 percent of the area median income — according to the latest census, the median income for North Charleston is about $52,000 — and the cost of rent varies depending on the income level. For example, a two-bedroom unit with 50 percent AMI is $900 per month compared to a two-bedroom with 80 percent AMI is $1,300. The lowest cost is a 754-square-foot one-bedroom apartment at $395 with 30 percent AMI.

The townhome project that broke ground in 2019 was a dream of Carolyn Lecque and her brother James Lecque about four years prior, but they kept running into barriers that prevented the project from happening, Carolyn Lecque said. She said a voice from God told her to reach out to Metanoia, which ultimately led to this community-driven initiative to address the area’s growing housing crisis.

While the project continued to come across roadblocks, especially due to the pandemic, seeing it come to fruition left Lecque speechless.

One goal of the project was to use minority-owned contractors to complete the work, said Stanfield.

“All the development team, from the architect and engineer to the construction, general contractor are all Black-owned firms. It’s nice to build a project that is reflective of the neighborhood,” said Stanfield.

Lecque added it was “a special blessing to have this done by people who look like us.”

Golden Dream Townhomes is funded by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority and the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Development fund.

The need for affordable housing, like Golden Dream Townhomes, was evident in the number of applications for the apartments. Metanoia received over 200 applications for the eight units available. While Stanfield said there is always a desire to do more, seeing the families who are moving into the units is impactful.

“It’s an inspiration to see that people were able to move in here. They’re the real heroes. They’re working hard and trying to make much better for themselves and their families,” said Stanfield.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – Hurricane Idalia produced bands of storms across South Carolina’s Lowcountry on Wednesday, with at least one tornado north of Charleston causing damage.

First responders in Berkeley County reported only minor injuries when a car was apparently sideswiped by a quick twister.

A video showed tropical-storm-force winds in the region associated with the heavy rainfall when the tornado formed, lifting the vehicle and smashing it into another.

The tornado was one of several reports of waterspouts and funnel clouds in South Carolina but was the only incident where a touchdown happened as of Wednesday afternoon.

CHARLESTON SLAMMED WITH STORM SURGE AS IDALIA CONTINUES POUNDING SOUTHEAST

The National Weather Service office in Charleston will be tasked with surveying the damage and determining the rating of the twister on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Hurricane Idalia produced at least one other tornado in Florida, but there was not any widespread damage reported associated with the vortex.

Tornadoes often happen during hurricanes

Tropical cyclones are known to produce tornadoes, especially in the northeast quadrant of the storm.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, shear is typically the greatest in this sector as the storm interacts with other weather features and the land. The tornadoes are usually weak and short-lived, which appears to be what happened in the Lowcountry.

IDALIA DIGS INLAND AS TROPICAL STORM, IMMERSING SOUTHEAST IN FLOODWATERS FOLLOWING HISTORIC FLORIDA LANDFALL

The threat of tornadoes, flooding and gusty winds is expected to continue through Thursday morning for the Carolinas as the center of Idalia pushes eastward off the coast.

Florida and Georgia were the hardest hit states by the former Category 4 hurricane. During the peak of the event, more than half a million customers in the two states were without electricity.

Australia’s Qantas Group has chosen Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner to modernize its widebody fleet to modernize its widebody fleet with an order for four 787-9 and eight 787-10 airplanes.

Boeing and Qantas said in a news release today the Dreamliner’s enhanced fuel efficiency and environmental performance is pivotal to the carrier’s global growth strategy to reduce its carbon emissions over the next decade.

"This is another multi-billion-dollar investment in the national carrier, and it's great news for our customers and our people," Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO, said in the news release. "The 787 and the GE engines fitted to them are thoroughly proven and extremely capable."

The 787 enables Qantas to meet its near- and long-term sustainability goals, reducing fuel use and emissions by up to 25% and featuring quieter engines compared to previous generation jets, the company said in the release. The airplanes are also capable of flying on a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, an important pathway to reducing emissions. The new order is part of Qantas' major fleet renewal program that is significantly increasing the carrier's overall fuel efficiency each year.

"With its market-leading environmental performance, the 787 Dreamliner is central to Qantas' unwavering commitment to operate one of the most sustainable and capable fleets in the airline industry," Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in the release. "Both the 787-9 and 787-10 offer enhanced efficiency, flexibility and passenger comfort to connect Australia and destinations around the world."

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Capable of flying an expansive international route network, the operating economics of the 787 family enables Qantas to open new routes and add more flights to its existing network, the company said. The 787-9 can fly up to 7,565 nautical miles, connecting Australia to North America and Europe. The larger 787-10 with a range of 6,330 nautical miles, will enable the airline to serve many popular international and regional routes. Currently, Qantas has a fleet of 14 787-9 jets.

Boeing South Carolina is the home of the 787 Dreamliner, where crews fabricate, assemble and deliver the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 to customers all over the world. The North Charleston facilities are also home to Boeing Research & Technology, IT Center of Excellence, Propulsion Systems, Interior Responsibility Center and Engineering Design Center. The site has 300 suppliers across the state, according to the company website.

Facility will insource production of key security products and bring new jobs to the region

RESTON, Va., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE^® 500 science and technology leader, today announced plans to establish a new security systems manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. This will be the company's third security systems manufacturing location in the U.S., expanding its presence and support to customers. Leidos will invest $31.7 million in the new facility, creating up to 170 new jobs in the region over time.

"This facility brings more manufacturing back into the U.S. and expands Leidos' global security capabilities for the aviation and critical infrastructure markets," said Jim Moos, Leidos Civil Group president. "We're thrilled to expand into the North Charleston area and look forward to making a positive impact in the community."

The new facility will produce security systems for Leidos' Security Enterprise Solutions (SES) operation. SES offers a comprehensive suite of fully automated and integrated products for aviation, shipping ports, border crossings and critical infrastructure customers. These systems provide threat detection by screening baggage, cargo and people at checkpoints around the world.

"Leidos' $31.7 million investment in their new facility here in the Lowcountry will lead to significant job growth and economic development," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-1). "We congratulate them on their expanding operation and thank them for putting their faith in South Carolina."

Located in Ladson Industrial Park, the new 150,000-square-foot facility will enable Leidos to onshore more manufacturing increasing the company's critical capacity to support its growing customer base. The new plant will optimize manufacturing efficiency, quality and safety through application of best-in-class manufacturing processes. The facility is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2024.

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 46,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in , Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately for the fiscal year ended . For more information, visit .

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents in one North Charleston neighborhood are voicing concerns after gaggles of geese have formed around community ponds.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reports that most geese shed their feathers and become flightless in the months of May to July, which may be part of the reason why there are so many of the birds in the Northwood Estates community.

From blocking the road to leaving droppings in neighbors’ yards, geese in the neighborhood have been an ongoing issue that one resident said is just getting out of hand.

“They’re so aggressive- they’ll come to my front door now … and you’ll have droppings, and I’m constantly taking my hose and washing down my walkway, my driveway… they’ll try to attack you or run up to you, so it’s just out of hand,” said Northwood Estates resident, Marilyn Tatum.

North Charleston Council Member Virginia Jamison said the community is used to ducks and geese in the area, but now with gaggles of up to 40 geese taking up yards and roads in the neighborhood, it’s something that is impacting the quality of life for residents.

“The livability and quality of life for me and my constituents is very, very important. That’s what I said I would be focusing on and that’s what I’ve focused on,” said Jamison.

The community says they are hoping to get support to decrease the geese population in the area.

SCDNR has posted a list of ways to help limit gaggles like using decoys such as owls or coyotes to prevent congregations of the birds. And the department wants that it’s challenging to get these geese to leave the area once nesting begins.

Another resident said that while he enjoys wildlife, his community needs outside help because of overpopulation.

“I’m not against wildlife. I’m an outdoorsman myself, but when it gets out of control someone needs to do something,” said resident Ed Gross.

Northwood Estates residents say this is not a new problem in their area — it’s only recently that it has become unavoidable.

“They’ve been here since I’ve been here you know, and that’s 17 years. But it’s just multiplying, it’s just too much,” said Tatum.