Junk Removal in North Charleston, SC

The performance is on Friday, May 19.

Acclaimed comedian, actor, and entrepreneur Druski announced today his first-ever, headlining comedy tour titled, Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, presented by Happy Dad Hard Seltzer includes a stop at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on May 19. Tickets go on sale Friday, march 17 at 10AM at Ticketmaster.com or 4LIFERSWORLD.COM

The 34-city tour will feature a combination of traditional comedic stand-up, as well as a live element of Druski's renowned record label, "Coulda Been Records," with segments that rose to prominence on Instagram Live. In the "Coulda Been Records" social media sessions, Druski facetiously offers aspiring performers an opportunity to showcase their skills online in front of millions. Now, as part of the tour, these prospective entertainers will have the chance to perform for a live audience for the first time ever.

"It's a dream come true to headline my own comedy tour," Druski said. "I've been fortunate to tour alongside several of the biggest musicians in the world and get valuable experience, but now I'm ready to take the next step in my career. I'm coming off my most successful year in comedy and it's time to show the world my growth as an entertainer."

Most recently, Druski served as the opener for Chris Brown and Lil Baby's joint "One of Them Ones" tour, during the Summer of 2022. He was also the official host of J. Cole's "The Off-Season" arena tour in 2021 that also included appearances by 21 Savage and Morray.

Since his breakthrough, Druski has evolved into a multi-hyphenate force, having been tapped to appear in music videos for the likes of Drake, Jack Harlow, Chloe Bailey, Lil Yachty and more. Additionally, he's starred in a wide array of commercials for brands such as Bud Light Seltzer, Beats By Dre, AT&T, Call of Duty, Mountain Dew, KFC, Happy Dad Hard Seltzer, and Google Pixel.

Druski also has several TV and film productions in the works and, most notably, will appear alongside Chloe Bailey & Quavo in the comedy, "Praise This," produced by Will Packer.

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Tour (Leg 1)

March 2, 2023 - Richmond, VA - Altria Theatre

March 3, 2023 - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall

March 4, 2023 - Baltimore, MD - The Lyric

March 9, 2023 - Cleveland, OH - KeyBank State Theater

March 10, 2023 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre

March 11, 2023 - Toronto, ON - Meridian Hall

March 17, 2023 - San Antonio, TX - Majestic Theatre

March 18, 2023 - Sugarland, TX - Smart Financial Centre

March 24, 2023 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at The Moody Theatre

March 25, 2023 - Dallas, TX - Texas Trust CU Theatre

March 30, 2023 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre

March 31, 2023 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC

April 1, 2023 - New Orleans, LA - Mahalia Jackson Theatre

April 13, 2023 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre

April 14, 2023 - Boston, MA - Boch Center Wang Theatre

April 15, 2023 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre

April 17, 2023 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

April 20, 2023 - Columbia SC - Township Auditorium

April 21, 2023 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium

April 22, 2023 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center

April 27, 2023 - Tampa, FL - Carol Morsani Hall

April 28, 2023 - Orlando, FL - Walt Disney Theater

April 29, 2023 - Miami, FL - Knight Center

May 4, 2023 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre

May 5, 2023 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theater

May 6, 2023 - Pittsburgh, PA - Heinz Hall

May 11, 2023 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre

May 12, 2023 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater

May 13, 2023 - Chicago, IL - The Chicago Theater

May 19, 2023 - N. Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center

May 20, 2023 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Centre

July 7, 2023 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre

July 8, 2023 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

July 13, 2023 - San Jose, CA - San Jose Civic

July 14, 2023 - Los Angeles, CA - Microsoft Theater

July 15, 2023 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Civic Theater

RENO, Nev. --

A team of Air Force Reservists from Joint Base Charleston’s 701st Airlift Squadron gained first-hand mentorship from senior C-17 Globemaster III pilots, themselves with decades of experience, while heading westward to Reno, Nevada, over the Rocky Mountains during training, March 9-12, 2023.

The 701st Airlift Squadron, a component of the Air Force Reserve’s 315th Airlift Wing, is one of the three Reserve airlift flying squadrons located at JB Charleston.

The focus of this training mission was on skills that can't easily be accomplished locally at Charleston, such as flying over terrain, adverse weather, and aerial refueling including practicing emergency procedures.

Lt. Col. Jeff Meyers, 701AS C-17 pilot with 28 years of experience said, “This training is key to honing all skill sets required to operate in a combat environment, by ensuring secure radio procedures, navigation, aerial refueling, high altitude terminal approach procedures, and low level tactical training in mountainous region, all while building relationships with the maintenance support team who accompanies us."

Meyers helped train two brand new C-17 pilots completing their seasonal on-the-job training, 1st Lt. John Waller and 1st Lt. Dylan Carroll. Here they have the opportunity to learn from pilots who have been flying since before the C-17’s introduction into the Air Force in 1991.

"We're constantly learning each and every mission and the challenge keeps me striving to be better,” said Waller. “Learning everything, from new techniques to effectively operate the aircraft, or how to balance mission accomplishment with taking care of your crew.”

“This mission allows us new co-pilots to receive invaluable instruction from the most experienced instructors and pilots in the squadron,” said Carroll. “It provides us the opportunity to apply the skills we have learned in real-world situations and experience new situations we have not encountered with elite counterparts.”

One of the many functions of training is not only maintaining the ever-evolving technology of the aircraft, but building a team that can tackle any mission, anywhere.

“Not only does this training build squadron morale and teamwork, but it exercises our support staff in a simulated deployed environment to basically perfect their support actions away from the main base,” said Meyers.

Whether with new or well-seasoned aircrew, missions like these keep airmen connected. Waller even flew over the location he had first ever taken flight as a pilot.

“The mission has provided me with personal experiences that will last a lifetime and this is only the beginning,” said Waller. “Before joining the 701AS, I had never traveled outside of the continental United States. As of now, I've traveled to more than 20 countries and 5 continents in only 6 months.”

Carroll showed similar feelings.

"Being in the 701st has finally let me apply the skills I have been learning in real world missions," said Carroll. "This has allowed me to see the bigger picture of how important our mission is as a C-17 crew and why it is so crucial to excel in everything we do.”

A state lawmaker is proposing a bill that would remove North Charleston from the Charleston County School District and create a new district.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A state lawmaker is proposing a bill that would remove North Charleston from the Charleston County School District and create a new district.

District 113 Rep. Marvin Pendarvis filed the bill Wednesday afternoon, saying that needs are not being met in the city of North Charleston.

“We’re here because we care about the quality of education in our schools,” Pendarvis said. “We’re here because the city of North Charleston, there’s a number of underperforming schools that lie within the City of North Charleston. We’re here for good reason, and I hope through collaboration and continuing the conversation we’ll be able to get something done.”

State law lays out how school districts can be formed and broken up.

According to 59-17-20, only an act from the state legislature or by authorization of the county boards of education can break up a district. Even then, the boards of education still need to meet certain conditions.

In a statement from the office of Attorney General Alan Wilson those conditions are as follows:

In (b), both districts involved would have to have a petition signed by at least four-fifths of the registered voters in the district. In (c), the districts would need only one-third of the voters to sign a petition but would then also have to have a vote on it called by the county board of education.

Earlier in the day, North Charleston’s mayor confirmed the city is exploring what would be required to withdraw schools in the city from the Charleston County School District.

Mayor Keith Summey said on Wednesday morning North Charleston City Council will explore breaking away from the school district to create their own.

“I think council is concerned about the number of failing schools that we have and what we can do generate more opportunity for the kids coming up in North Charleston,” he said. “It’s not anything that’s in concrete. It’s something that we’re looking at the possibility of.”

The effort, he says, is in a research phase to determine if the idea of pulling schools from the Charleston County School District is feasible, adding it would not be a “fast-paced” project.

Summey said he believes the city contributes more than what they are getting from the school district. He said the majority of failing schools in the district are in North Charleston.

“A community, at the end of the day, is only as strong as the education we can provide for our children, and we just want to make sure that our kids are getting the top chance that they can to get that education,” he said.

Summey said his vision would be for the schools to become a department within the city. He says he believes it would ultimately take a voter referendum, likely in 2024, for the change to happen.

North Charleston Mayor Pro Tem Jerome Heyward said he does not see one member on council not standing behind mayor in support of this.

“The city of North Charleston has been left out of the equation,” Heyward said. “Academic wise, we suffered over here because 30 of our schools are failing. It’s time for us to fix our schools.”

Summey said he has not yet heard from the school district, adding he would like to sit down with them.

“We’re just interested in making sure that children in North Charleston have the same opportunities as children in the entire county to get the best possible education that they can, and that’s not to say that the school district is not making effort,” Summey said. “It’s saying we don’t believe that effort to date has been successful.”

Charleston County School Board Chair Pam McKinney says she has not heard a single word from Summey or the city since she took office. She claims she learned of the mayor’s plan from news coverage.

“CCSD is proud to serve students from every corner of Charleston County,” McKinney said. “It is a priority for the board to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education. North Charleston students deserve a great education and that is exactly what we are working to deliver.”

The Charleston County School District provided a response to the city’s plans, saying the proposal to withdraw would duplicate administrative costs and result in less funding per pupil.

Mayor Keith Summey’s proposal to withdraw North Charleston schools from the Charleston County School District (CCSD) and instead house them in a department within the City of North Charleston would fail students. Such would duplicate administrative costs and result in less funding per pupil for both academic support and capital improvement.

Mayor Summey’s assertion that the City contributes more than what it receives from CCSD is untrue. In fact, North Charleston has historically received well above the CCSD average funding for construction and facilities maintenance.

North Charleston’s schools currently account for 30.32% of the District’s total student population yet receive approximately 35.6% of funds allocated for schools. In addition, the average budgeted per-pupil allocation in FY2023 for North Charleston schools was $16,645.18 compared to that for all other CCSD schools at $14,171.06; isolating North Charleston’s schools served through Acceleration Schools boasts a $19,532.61 per pupil allocation.

Claims that academic efforts in North Charleston schools have not been successful are also misleading. Most recently, for example, three North Charleston schools were removed from the state improvement designation list while others made significant gains.

Rather than benefiting students, withdrawing schools from CCSD would exacerbate educational disparities between geographic areas that CCSD has worked to address. Likewise, the assertion that creating a smaller district would ensure children in North Charleston have greater opportunities is simply misguided. Smaller schools and smaller districts have historically been less-able to offer such access and opportunity.

The District calls on Mayor Summey to address his concerns directly with CCSD leadership so that adults can avoid negative outcomes for students, parents, and educators. The Mayor has not reached out to the District directly since February 2022, after which he and Superintendent Kennedy met with other District and City officials.

The city refutes this, claiming the mayor reached out in May 2022 about an educational program.

Summey reaffirmed Wednesday morning he has not yet decided if he will seek re-election but expects to do so within the next 30 days.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

The Charleston Co. School District is discussing a policy that would ban teachers from talking about sex, sexual orientation and other gender fluidity topics.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston County School District is discussing a policy that would ban teachers from talking about sex, sexual orientation and other gender fluidity topics at schools.

The agenda item says this topic is in anticipation of a state law, that if passed would ban discussion of sexual identity and related topics in schools. The agenda item is so that the district can create a policy ready to put in place, if the bill passes.

The House bill leaves the decision up to parents’ discretion, saying school districts must take action to promote parental involvement before any policies are put in place.

The bill says parents have the ultimate responsibility to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their children.

The agenda item explains, the school policy would be that staff are not allowed to refer to people by pronouns not associated with their official ID. Staff could not “engage in dialog with any student on topics regarding sexual choices, sexual preferences or gender fluidity” or “engage in dialog with any student about preferred pronouns of the student or staff member.”

We Are Family is an LGBTQ friendly organization. Jonatan Guerrero Ramirez, the community events director says this bill and policy are harmful to some students and not a good use of resources when there are other real issues in schools.

“Our students come to us, a lot of even their straight allies will come to us and say, ‘Why are we having this discussion? Why are we focusing on this when there is a teacher shortage? Why are we focusing on this where we should be focusing on passing our grades?’” Ramirez says. “This is just a waste of time and it’s honestly really sad that these youth are telling us that the adults are being the ones that are acting childish right now.”

The agenda item does say the conversations may be banned except as needed for health classes or student psychological support. It also says the board will work with legal teams and stakeholders to make sure children are supported and protected. Ramirez says We Are Family will continue to support kids in any way they can.

“Take books away, we’re going to offer those books to those youths. If schools take away people’s pronouns, then we’re going to give students pronoun pins to wear proudly in their schools. If schools take away rights for our trans youth, then we’re going to fight for those rights for trans youth. We Are Family has been here since 1985. And we’re not going to go anywhere anytime soon,” Ramirez says.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston-based manufacturing company Bintelli is expanding its operation with a new 174,000-square-foot facility in North Charleston.

The facility, off Palmetto Commerce Parkway, opened last week and will focus on building golf carts and low-speed electric vehicles.

This marks the third expansion for Bintelli in the last three years.

“This new facility is a testament to the amazing work our dealer family has done over the last few years,” Bintelli Founder and President Justin Jackrel says. “As we are now operational in what I believe is the largest LSV (low-speed vehicles) manufacturing facility in America, we’re going to be able to even better support our dealer family with the additional vehicles, parts and support they need to continue their rapid growth nationwide.”

Another focus for the move was to have more space for employees so the building is a more comfortable workspace without limiting tight boundaries, says Kevin Marques, Bintelli Production Facility Manager.

“It keeps growing and the biggest thing is keeping the culture the same; we pride our employees and making sure everyone is happy,” Marques says. “We actually know each employee by name and I want to keep that feel here because I think that’s very important for us; that’s the biggest thing, as we grow, I just want to maintain the culture within the company.”

Bintelli assembled 7,000 vehicles last year and is on track to produce 12,000 this year, making the move to a larger facility necessary.

Bintelli says with this new facility, they will be able to keep up with the demand for low-speed electric vehicles and golf carts.

“This expansion is another step in solidifying ourselves at the forefront of the industry,” Bintelli Vice President Jason Perske said. “While faster order fulfillment and greater inventory availability is going to be an incredible asset for our dealer family, I’m far more excited about what this means for the additional levels of support we can offer. I’m excited for all of our dealerships to share in this huge announcement and incredibly thankful for all the support they show us every day.”

In addition to the recent facility expansions, Bintelli says they are also focused on expanding its support and production staff.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.