Granite Countertops in Summerville, SC

Central South Carolina experienced a weak earthquake Tuesday, ending a 3-week pause in earthquake activity that has rocked the area around Elgin, South Carolina.

At 11:01 am Tuesday, a weak 1.9 earthquake hit just east of Elgin, South Carolina at a depth of 3.1 km. The last time an earthquake struck here was on September 1, when a weak 1.5 earthquake struck near Centerville; before that, a 1.6 magnitude event hit near Lugoff on August 27. For much of the summer, the area was experiencing nearly daily earthquakes, with thousands of reports of shaking coming in from concerned residents throughout the area.

Several dozen earthquakes have struck seismically active South Carolina since December. These weak to moderate earthquakes struck after a swarm came and went in December. The mysterious swarm began on Monday, December 27, at 2:18 pm in the afternoon. That first 3.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 miles north of Columbia, South Carolina at a depth of only 3.1 km. More than 3,100 residents reported to USGS they felt it at the time, with one report of shaking coming from as far away as Rock Hill, which is at the North/South Carolina state border. While many felt the earthquake, there was no reported damage in the Palmetto State. That earthquake was followed by 10 more ranging in intensity between a magnitude 1.5 to a magnitude 2.6 event. The second earthquake struck three hours twenty minutes after the first one. The last earthquake in that series struck on the morning of January 5, bringing a temporary end to the earthquakes there.

According to USGS, a swarm is a sequence of mostly small earthquakes with no identifiable mainshock. “Swarms are usually short-lived, but they can continue for days, weeks, or sometimes even months,” USGS adds. However, the South Carolina event doesn’t fit the typical definition of a swarm since the first event was substantially larger than the rest.

According to USGS, “aftershocks” are a sequence of earthquakes that happen after a larger mainshock on a fault. “Aftershocks occur near the fault zone where the mainshock rupture occurred and are part of the ‘readjustment process’ after the main slip on the fault,” says USGS. However, aftershocks of a 3.3 magnitude earthquake would only last a few days, not the week plus they have.

According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), there are approximately 10-15 earthquakes every year in South Carolina, with most not felt by residents; on average, only 3-5 are felt each year. Most of South Carolina’s earthquakes are located in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone. The two most significant historical earthquakes to occur in South Carolina were the 1886 Charleston-Summerville earthquake and the 1913 Union County earthquake. The 1886 earthquake in Charleston was the most damaging earthquake to ever occur in the eastern United States; it was also the most destructive earthquake in the U.S. during the 19th century.

Experts are concerned that a large scale earthquake will strike at some point of the future and bring about significant damage and loss of life. While more than 100 years have passed since the last large earthquake, a 2001 study titled “Comprehensive Seismic Risk and Vulnerability Study for the State of South Carolina” confirmed the state is extremely vulnerable to earthquake activity. The study, based on scientific research, provided information about the likely effects of earthquakes on the current population and on modern-day structures and systems, including roadways, bridges, homes, commercial and government buildings, schools, hospitals and water and sewer facilities.

No one is sure what’ll become of this steady stream of light earthquakes or whether or not something larger is looming. For now, the SCEMD has been sending out Tweets to the people of South Carolina encouraging them to be prepared for any disaster this year –earthquakes included.

Do you know what to do if an #earthquake hits while you’re in ? Have a & next to your .Stay in , don’t risk injury on potential hazards. Turn onto your stomach. Cover your head & neck with a pillow. Wait until the shaking stops. Put on before leaving . pic.twitter.com/m5QeE12IEK

— SCEMD (@SCEMD) January 6, 2022

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — It’s proclaimed as the “Birthplace of Sweet Tea.” And Summerville, South Carolina, loves to share that sweet flavor with everyone.

“Just seeing our sweet community come together for the most amazing tea,” touts Tara Harshaw, who works at the restaurant Sweetwater One Twenty Three.

Harshaw and her fellow sweet tea lovers and co-workers have been very busy putting their twist on the tradition.

“This is our Peach Mint Julep,” Harshaw shows off.

It’s a recipe that adds some Bourbon to the mix. Sweetwater One Twenty Three is participating in this year’s “Hold My Tea” competition between Summerville cocktail makers for the best alcohol-based drink.

That’s part of the build-up to this year’s Sweet Tea Festival, which started in 2011.

For Steve Doniger of the Summerville Dream organization: it’s all about “hospitality.”

Doniger says, “Sweet Tea is about hospitality. It’s about bringing neighbors together. It’s an opportunity to have sweet tea and spend some time, and that’s what the festival does.”

Summerville Dream’s goal is to connect Summerville’s business community with the local community and tourists for a healthy bit of growth.

Doniger says this is one of the town’s most important yearly events this year.

“We’re averaging about 13 to 15 thousand people throughout the day. It’s one of the premier events here in Summerville. We’re really proud of it, and a lot of groups are coming together to make this work. It’s a nice thing for everybody.”

Organizers say attendees will have a chance to taste and vote on a full house of traditional sweet tea vendors at the event- which kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. going until 8 p.m.

There will be some parking restrictions on Saturday for the festival.

Little Main by Hutchinson Square will be closed from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

And West Richardson Avenue between Main Street and South Cedar Avenue will be shut down from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — It was on August 14 when firefighter Tremaine Gibbs was riding his motorcycle on Ashley Phosphate Road and a car pulled out, giving him no time to react.

Brandon Browder- an Engineer alongside Gibbs- decided to start a GoFundMe to help his family during his recovery.

"In today’s world with inflation and everything like that, we just try to raise money for him so he can take care of his 2 kids," Browder said.

Gibbs is back up and moving now, but he does have a back brace and a broken jaw.

His captain describes him as a handworker who puts his family before anything else.

“He’s the type of guy that would do anything for you, he goes above and beyond any task that is given. He doesn’t’ just do the bare minimum, he’s a family-oriented guy and loves his family. There are not enough good things to say about him," said Brett Medlock, the Captain over Station 1 at the Summerville Fire Dept.

The crew says that what left the greatest impact was how much the community came together, rallying for Gibbs and the rest of the Firefighters.

"I think it’s easy to forget that someone is at these fire stations every day. AT every moment, there is someone ready to help this community. And really, it’s nice to see them in return help us when we need it. We don’t ask for it often, but we need it sometimes too," said Phil Judge, a Captain and Battalion Chief.

They hope that this accident will teach drivers in the area to be more careful on the roads.

"To the citizens of Summerville, when you’re out and about just take a second to keep an eye out for motorcycles," continued Medlock.

The fundraiser reached $3,900 as of Monday morning and is still accepting donations towards a $10,000 goal.

To donate, visit Brandon Browder's GoFundMe "Local Firefighter in Need."

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A local woman is warning others about scammers trying to get personal information and money from Facebook users using a fake government program.

The woman, Tammy, said what really hooked her is the scammers impersonated one of her family member’s Facebook profiles when they reached out.

“People, especially the elderly — we’re the targets,” she said.

Tammy got a message from the profile, thinking it was her cousin. The person then asked her if she received anything from the Department of Health and Human Services.

They told her she could receive a grant from the government worth $200,000. But first, she was told to send a message on Facebook to a supposed government agent.

She was then asked for some of her personal information.

“My address, my phone number, my age, what type of work I do,” Tammy said.

The man then told her to get the money from the government, she had to send them $500 to pay for shipping costs.

Tammy said that’s when she knew it was a scam.

“I said nope — that’s crazy.”

Bailey Parker, Communications Director for the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, advises consumers to reach out to the agency directly, before handing anything over.

“If somebody is saying ‘hey you need to fill out this document with all your personal identifying information and you’ll get money and you have to pay money’ — no that’s always going to be a scam,” said Parker.

While Tammy didn’t lose any money from the scam, Parker said her information is just as valuable.

“We hear from consumers all the time say ‘I didn’t give away any money — just personal information,” she said. “Well, your information is money to these scammers.”

Tammy hopes sharing her story will prevent someone else from falling victim to the scam.

“I said I should’ve known, you know, I should’ve known.”

If you do end up giving any personal information to a scammer, Parker said to place a security freeze on your credit and submit a fraud alert.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - For many people, when they first hear they have Parkinson’s Disease, it can be scary and worrisome. But, a group of people attending a boxing class called Rock Steady Boxing in Summerville, say it’s helping slow the progression of the disease.

Dennis Tianello has been coming to Rock Steady Boxing at Title Boxing in Nexton for two months now.

“My doctor, when I was first diagnosed and everything, I couldn’t walk to his exam room without touching the wall four or five times in the hallways,” Tianello said. “I went back to see him after doing this for a month and he says ‘Dennis, I watched you walk down the hall way. You didn’t even touch the wall.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that affects motor movement. Through this boxing class, folks say they’ve seen their balance, coordination, and strength improve.

Annie Barra, the lead trainer at Title Boxing, says they recognize the disease is still there, but the program helps slows it down.

“They box and they move around and we challenge them to different things,” Barra said. “It’s a great group of people and it brings them together where they may have felt uncomfortable, we make it comfortable.”

Paul Werksman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about two months ago, even though he says he had many symptoms long before that. When he got his diagnosis, he started attending Rock Steady Boxing.

“Just being able to work it out and get better myself,” Werksman said. “I know I’ve lost my voice quit a bit. That’s why Don has us speaking very loudly.”

While it’s completely non-contact boxing, Bob Rodenkirk says one of his favorite things in the class is when he gets to go one-on-one with an instructor.

“They’ll get one of those belts on and they’ll say okay, give me everything you’ve got, don’t hold back,” Rodenkirk said. “And boom, boom, boom, boom.”

Rodenkirk says he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago. He says this boxing class has helped him stabilize things and has helped him feel normal.

The instructor of the class, Donald Wright, says they do more than just boxing. The goal is to get these folks moving and exercising, which is something doctors tell many people with Parkinson’s to do.

“We have a bend, lift, stretch, voice, you toss balls, stack cones, lift, weights, get on the floor, planks, push ups, sit ups if you can,” Wright said.

Rodenkirk says he’s been surprised by the impacts he’s had from Rock Steady Boxing.

“My doctors told me, you’re not going to lose if you try boxing,” Rodenkirk said. “You may think it sounds stupid or I’m just gonna get pounded, but it’s not that at all.”

Many of the fighters added that Rock Steady Boxing has been a great way for them to build new friendships and realize they aren’t alone in their Parkinson’s journey.

The class is held three days a week. Title Boxing owner Chris Bowen says they are always accepting new members. He added that anyone with Parkinson’s Disease interested in joining can come watch a class before attending. More information on the gym can be found on their website.

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