Month: September 2025

By Mark Andrew Watke

The SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy is a program offered by the National Guard Bureau, located in Eastover, South Carolina. The staff there serve at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 18. Youth aged 15 ½ may apply and be accepted if they will turn 16 during the middle of the cycle. The academy takes students who are at risk of dropping out, have dropped out, or have been expelled and gives them the opportunity to spend 22 weeks obtaining their GED, high school diploma, or earning academic recovery credits. The academy considers high schools, police departments/sheriff’s offices, churches, therapists, and non-profits to be partners in creating a better future for South Carolina’s youth.

The academy has an educational component, with dedicated teachers on staff to assist at-risk youth in obtaining their GED, high school diploma, or academic recovery credits. Located on McCrady Training Center, the education building houses several classrooms—one for science, one for math, one for English, and one for social studies. They also have two computer labs: one that is a Pearson VUE-certified testing center and another used for credit recovery. The principal, Tamara Watkins, takes great pride in her role assisting at-risk youth and in serving as the math teacher.

Presently, the director is Ronnie Scott, a Marine Corps veteran. Director Ronnie Scott has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Benedict College and is currently working on his master’s degree in leadership. Director Scott loves the opportunity to give back to the community after his long and fruitful military career and has spent over 30 years in project management, budgeting and planning, quality assurance, and management resolution. Director Scott makes it a point to mentor his staff through required leadership and all-hands meetings. Through his briefings, he emphasizes the importance of teamwork—one prominent illustration being cars in a traffic jam. Director Scott emphasizes teamwork in all things.

Cadet Antley was banned from every school in South Carolina, but he was able to make it through the SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy. While he was a cadet at the SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy, he learned important lessons centered on eight core components. The physical training helped him improve his discipline as well as his physique and physical capabilities. He was required to wake up every morning for physical training. Once daily physical training is completed, the cadets are required to attend educational classes with the goal of obtaining their GED, high school diploma, or academic recovery credits. In the evening, they retire to the barracks associated with their platoon.

Other cadets, like Cadet Raleigh, made the most of the opportunity by nurturing their walk with the Lord through the academy. Cadet Rodriguez-Gutierrez had this to say: “It was pretty good. Great staff, amazing teachers.” Many students—who are called cadets—benefit from the program, and the staff continue to support them even after they complete the program.

Director Scott’s goal is for the SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy to become the number one youth-serving program in South Carolina. Recently, a new deputy director has been appointed, Gillian Porterfield, who previously served in multiple positions at the academy.

Follow the journey on Instagram.

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Photo Credit: Mark Andrew Watke

Wetzel’s Franchisee Opens Mobile Bakery to Deliver Handheld Happiness to His Local Community

CHARLESTON – Wetzel’s Pretzels (Wetzel’s), the iconic brand known for its fresh, hand-rolled 

pretzels, is expanding into South Carolina with a new food truck rolling through Charleston. This will be the first-ever location in the state as the brand continues to expand into the Southeast region of the country. 

The new food truck will bring an abundance of flavor to Charleston, offering craveable snacks and refreshing drinks for the community to enjoy. Isaac Watlington, a Charleston resident since 2014, began his career in medical sales, where he worked for more than seventeen years before transitioning into hospitality. Over the past eight years, he has built his experience as a restaurant operator and is now enhancing his portfolio by becoming a first-time Wetzel’s Pretzels franchisee. Drawing on his operational expertise, Watlington aims to make the food truck a staple at community events throughout the metro area.

“Opening a Wetzel’s food truck is a significant step in my career, and I am thrilled to introduce the mouthwatering products that Wetzel’s Pretzels is known for to the Charleston community,” said Watlington. “Being able to bring the very first Wetzel’s location to South Carolina is truly meaningful to me, and I can’t wait to share this experience with the city I call home.”

The food truck will attend three fall festivals: the Cane Bay High School ROTC Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18; the Cane Bay YMCA Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25; and the Charleston Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wetzel’s continues to expand its food truck concept and is more equipped than ever to satisfy consumers’ hunger for pretzels. With a fleet of more than 25 trucks in operation and more in the pipeline, the brand is making its sweet and salty snacks more accessible than ever. 

“We’re pleased for Isaac to open his first Wetzel’s location with us as well as lead our South Carolina debut,” said Jon Fischer, Head of Development at Wetzel’s Pretzels. “We can’t wait for the food truck to be a delicious pillar bringing our beloved pretzels to Charleston and the state of South Carolina, and we are confident the community will embrace Wetzel’s warmly. As we continue to grow into new markets, we look forward to sharing our iconic flavors and creating memorable experiences for the local community.”

Wetzel’s has been sharing its signature handheld happiness ever since its founding in Pasadena, California, in 1994. The brand continues to attract a cult-like following in communities across North America through its cool SoCal feel and crave-worthy snacks that cultivate special moments of pure pretzel bliss between friends, family, and colleagues.

For additional information about Wetzel’s franchise opportunity, visit https://www.wetzelsfranchising.com. 

About Wetzel’s Pretzels

Providing a fun, fresh take on soft pretzels, Wetzel’s Pretzels was founded in 1994 by Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel in Pasadena, California. Drawing fans to its mouth-watering, portable snacks that are hand-rolled, baked fresh and served hot from the oven, word quickly spread about the delicious West Coast brand. Today, Wetzel’s Pretzels has grown to more than 400 locations, continuing to cultivate fanatics around the world with its SoCal vibes and “gram-worthy” snacks. As the nation’s leading pretzel chain, the franchise has received numerous accolades, most recently being named on Yelp‘s 2024 Fastest Growing Brands, alongside Franchise Business Review‘s 2025Top Franchises, 2025 Top Franchises for Women, and Top Culture100 lists.

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Startex, SC – Fourteen years after her remains were discovered in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, a Jane Doe known as Ms. Startex has been identified as Jolene Lynn White. White was born in New York in 1976 but had been living in the nearby town of Cowpens when she disappeared in 2005, six years before her body was found.

On October 26, 2011, a group of teenagers searching for scrap metal found skeletal human remains in a wooded area along a highway in Startex, South Carolina. Authorities determined that the remains belonged to a 40-55 year-old Caucasian woman and investigators found evidence that she had been murdered before her body was hidden under debris.

In 2020, the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office brought the case to the DNA Doe Project, whose expert volunteer investigative genetic genealogists work pro bono to identify Jane and John Does. A DNA profile was generated from the woman’s remains and uploaded to GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA, but the team immediately ran into challenges. Ms. Startex only had distant DNA matches but it was obvious that she had roots in Puerto Rico, where endogamy can complicate genetic genealogy research.

“The genealogy in this case was very complex,” said team leader Rebecca Somerhalder. “Our team built out family trees for hundreds of Puerto Rican DNA matches, but figuring out how they were connected to Ms. Startex was tricky because they were all very distant relatives.”

Over years of research, the team on this case built out a family tree for the unidentified woman that grew to contain nearly 50,000 people. Then, in April 2025, a new DNA match appeared on FamilyTreeDNA. Before long, the team had identified the biological parents of Ms. Startex as a couple from Orange County, New York. The father, as expected, was originally from Puerto Rico, while the mother had deep roots in the area.

However, none of their known children were missing and it became clear that Ms. Startex must’ve been adopted. Investigators spoke with the family and discovered that, after the death of their mother, two of the children had been adopted by a family who later moved to South Carolina. Upon speaking with their adoptive family, they learned that one of them – Jolene Lynn White – had been missing for two decades. Follow up DNA testing confirmed that Jolene was, in fact, the woman formerly known only as Ms. Startex.

“This identification was only possible because of a dedicated and collaborative team,” said researcher Janel Daniels. “It also goes to show that one DNA match can make a huge difference – anyone who uploads their DNA to GEDmatch.com, DNAJustice.org or FamilyTreeDNA.com might help solve a cold case without even realizing.”

The DNA Doe Project is grateful to the groups and individuals who helped solve this case: the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office, who entrusted the case to the DNA Doe Project; Astrea Forensics for DNA extraction; HudsonAlpha Discovery for sequencing; Kevin Lord for bioinformatics; GEDmatch Pro and FamilyTreeDNA for providing their databases; our generous donors who joined our mission and contributed to this case; and the DNA Doe Project’s dedicated teams of volunteer investigative genetic genealogists who work tirelessly to bring all our Jane and John Does home.

https://dnadoeproject.org/case/ms-startex

About the DNA Doe Project

The DNA Doe Project is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to identify John and Jane Does and return them to their families and communities. Investigative genetic genealogy research is provided pro bono to our partners in law enforcement, but the organization relies on donations to fund lab costs and operational support of our volunteers. To date, DDP has helped resolve more than 150 cases of unidentified human remains. For more about our work and to join our mission, visit our website: https://dnadoeproject.org.

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Charleston County

Dreaming Farms — Charleston, SC

• Location: 1540 Camp Road, Charleston, SC 29412   

• Hours: Opens ~September 20, 2025. Monday–Friday: 11 am–7 pm | Saturday: 10 am–8 pm | Sunday: 12 pm–7 pm   

• Services & Features: Wide variety of pumpkins, live music on weekends, gift shop, pumpkins in many shapes and sizes, corn stalks, marigolds, ornamental peppers, hayride ambiance    

• Admission: Free entry; pay for pumpkins   

Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch — Mt. Pleasant (Charleston County)

• Location: Entrance at 2434 N. Hwy. 17, Mt. Pleasant (don’t use main plantation entrance)   

• Dates & Hours: Fridays–Sundays, September 26 – October 26, from 10 am to 5 pm   

• Admission: $15 for guests aged 3+. Children 2 and under free with paying adult  

• Attractions: Corn maze, tractor tour, live performances (e.g., Circus Incredible, HoneyBee exhibit), petting zoo, pig races, inflatables, magic show, mini-golf, rubber duck races, “ask-a-farmer” interactive sessions, face-painting, pony rides (additional fee), food vendors, pumpkins by the pound  

• Bonus: Free admission on Friday, September 26 and Friday, October 3, courtesy of Berkeley Electric Cooperative (serving Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester counties)  

Hibben UMC Pumpkin Patch — Mt. Pleasant

• Location: 690 Coleman Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464   

• Dates & Hours: October 1–31. Monday–Friday: 11 am–7 pm | Saturday: 10 am–7 pm | Sunday: 12 pm–7 pm   

• Admission: Pumpkins available for purchase; proceeds support church missions   

John Wesley UMC Pumpkin Patch — Charleston

• Location: 626 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC  

• Hours: Through October. Monday–Saturday: 10 am–8 pm | Sunday: 12 pm–8 pm  

• Purpose: Fundraiser supporting youth mission projects (local and international)  

Carolina Pumpkins — North Charleston

• Location: 5140 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston   

• Offers: Pumpkins, cornstalks, wheat straw, mums, carving kits, “Build a Buddy” costume activity   

The Pumpkin Patch at Mistletoe Lane — Summerville

• Location: 3408 Mistletoe Lane, Summerville, SC   

• Hours: Tuesday–Thursday: 12 pm–7 pm | Friday & Saturday: 10 am–8 pm | Sunday: 12 pm–7 pm   

• Features: Pumpkins, hay bales, mums, live music weekends 12–4 pm   

Knightsville United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch — Summerville

• Location: 1505 Central Avenue, Summerville, SC   

• Dates & Hours: September 21–October 31, daily 9 am–7 pm   

• Note: Supports church mission ministries  

⸻

Berkeley & Dorchester Counties

West Farm Corn Maze — Moncks Corner (Berkeley County)

• Location: 2641 Cooper Store Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461  

• Attractions: Large corn maze (~2.8 mi), smaller pumpkin-shaped maze for kids, hayride, pumpkin barn, play area, farm zoo, scarecrow alley, apple slingshot, food vendors, picnic area, restrooms, accessible facilities  

• Admission & Amenities: Accepts cash and card; group discounts, school and military rates available  

• Dates & Hours: Typically open October–early November; check schedule (2025 likely similar)   

Legare Farms — Johns Island (near Charleston County border)

• Location: 2620 Hanscombe Point Road, Johns Island, SC 29455   

• Dates & Hours: September 27–28 and all weekends in October. Fridays: 3 pm–6 pm | Saturdays: 10 am–6 pm | Sundays: 12 pm–6 pm   

• Admission: $5 per car; includes 1 free hayride coupon per family   

• Activities: Pumpkin picking; hayride to feed cows ($4 per rider 2+); horse rides ($5); scarecrow-making ($12); gem mine ($5–$10 per bucket); corn cannon ($1); free farm animal barnyard and playground; food concessions (no outside food)   

• Other Services: Field trips, birthday parties, summer camps, group events  

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Taco Boy, a long-standing Charleston brand, announces that the lawsuit naming Taco Boy Folly Beach as a defendant has been formally dismissed. After extensive discovery the plaintiffs and their counselacknowledged that there was no evidence to support claims against Taco Boy.

Importantly, neither Taco Boy nor its insurers paid toward the settlement of this matter, as the complaint allegations were wholly unsubstantiated as proven in the deposition of driver, Komoroski.

“We are relieved that this matter has been resolved and that the facts have exonerated Taco Boy and our team,”said Karalee Fallert, Co-Founder and CEO of Taco Boy. “Our hearts remain with Aric Hutchinson’s family as theycontinue to heal from this unimaginable tragedy. Our priority has always been creating a safe, welcoming environment for our guests and employees, and we are grateful for the unwavering support from the FollyBeach and Charleston communities throughout this process. This resolution allows us to focus fully on what wedo best: serving fresh, delicious tacos in a festive atmosphere while fostering positive connections in our neighborhood.”

Fair and smart liability laws are critical to protecting both the hospitality industry and the communities theyserve. Taco Boy hasreaffirmed its commitment to advocating for legislative reforms that ensure accountability forthose who serve alcohol irresponsibly or choose to drive under the influence, while protecting community-focused businesses and their employees from baseless claims.

Taco Boy remains steadfast in its mission to provide a safe, welcoming, and joyful experience for everyone whowalksthrough itsdoors. The company is proud to be an integral part of the South and North Carolina communitiesand looks forward to continuing to serve guests with the passion and care that have always defined its brand.

About Taco Boy

Founded on South Carolina’s Folly Beach in 2006, Taco Boy is an independently owned neighborhood taco restaurant on a mission to use the power of tacos to cultivate people, activate fun, and build community.Serving scratch-made tacos and other Mexican-inspired eats and drinks daily, Taco Boy is where you come toconnect, unwind, and savor life’s best moments. The family of taquerias has six distinct locations: the flagshiprestaurant on Folly (2006) and others in Charleston (2009), Summerville (2019), West Asheville (2022), BiltmorePark (2023), and LoSo, Charlotte, NC (2024). Taco Boy is for everyone. Find more details at tacoboy.net.

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The event is a heartfelt tribute in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Clemson University will also honor first responders, including the Clemson University Police Department, Clemson Fire Department and Clemson Emergency Medical Services. The event will include the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” announcements marking the timeline of events on 9/11, a 21-gun salute, a performance of Taps and the singing of “God Bless America.”

This year’s theme is: Remembering 9/11 with the Spirit and Patriotism of 9/12. Together, the Clemson community will remember and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Attendees are encouraged to bring a thank you card for first responders, which will be delivered to local first responders on September 12.

Patriotism serves as a core University value, as Clemson seeks to honor its military heritage and its commitment to duty, service, leadership, tradition and civic responsibility.

For more information about the event and participating organizations, please click here.

By Mark A Leon

Along the scenic Cooper River in North Charleston, a bold transformation is unfolding. This fall, the long-dormant Charleston Naval Base—once a hub of shipbuilding—will reemerge as a thriving creative epicenter known as the Charleston Design District. Born from a visionary collaboration between national property developer Jamestown and local partners Weaver Capital Partners and WECCO Development, this mixed-use redevelopment is fast becoming the Lowcountry’s newest cultural and design destination.

A Design Mecca in Storehouse Row

At the heart of the district lies Storehouse Row, a cluster of beautifully restored, turn-of-the-century industrial buildings. The redevelopment has already brought these historic structures back to life—housing creative office space, ground-floor retail and eateries, and 86 luxury apartments—all anchored in architectural preservation that earned Carolopolis Awards.

This fall, 150,000 square feet of showroom and maker space will open to the public and the design trade. Major industry names like Kravet, Schumacher, and Textures have signed leases, joining local mainstays such as The Urban Electric Co., Fritz Porter, Smithey Ironware Company, and Patterson Flynn.

• Kravet will feature a 2,240-sq-ft showroom in Storehouse Eight.
• Schumacher, known for fabrics, wallpaper, and trim, will occupy 3,760 sq ft in the same building—alongside Patterson Flynn.
• Textures, esteemed for luxury wood flooring, will unveil a 1,620-sq-ft space in Storehouse Nine.  

A Hub for Designers and Homeowners Alike

While the showrooms primarily cater to design professionals, the district is designed with accessibility in mind. Programming and pop-up events—like previews hosted by Kravet and curated marketplaces—invite homeowners to engage directly with the creative process.

Dave Dawson, founder of The Urban Electric Co., celebrated the opportunity:

“It took 20 years, but our dream of a walkable creative community is finally becoming reality.”

Dining with a View

Adding to The Design District’s allure, acclaimed restaurateur Steve Palmer of Indigo Road Hospitality Group will open an 8,200-sq-ft rooftop restaurant atop Storehouse Nine. Patrons will enjoy indoor and outdoor seating with sweeping views of the Cooper River and historic shipyard.

A Regional Design Destination

Jamestown envisions the Charleston Design District as more than just a local offering—it’s a regional magnet serving clients from the Outer Banks to Savannah. With its blend of national and homegrown brands, walkable layout, curated programming, and historic site charm, the district is poised to become a premier destination in the South.

Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown, expressed the vision succinctly:

“The history and architecture of the area offer a strong anchor… We want to foster and grow that community to create the most extensive and innovative selection of interior furnishings in the coastal Carolinas.”  

What’s Next

Fall 2025 marks the official launch—showrooms open, rooftops host diners, and the district hums with creative energy. On the horizon are additional phases that will expand office and residential spaces, green neighborhoods, and improved transit connectivity. As Navy Yard Charleston continues to grow, the Design District remains its vibrant soul—a place where architectural legacy and modern creativity meet.

Bright, bold, and full of promise, the Charleston Design District is rewriting North Charleston’s story—not as an industrial relic, but as a reimagined, design-driven urban heart of innovation.

Photo Credit: Charleston Design District

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$9.2 million investment will create 20 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Peabody Engineering LLC (Peabody Engineering), a plastics manufacturer, today announced it is expanding its operations in Pickens County. The company’s $9.2 million investment will create 20 new jobs.

Founded in California in 1952, Peabody Engineering is a manufacturer and distributor of tanks, telecommunication disguising equipment and other plastic products. The company began operations at its Pickens County facility in 2022.

Peabody Engineering is consolidating operations by adding 48,000 square feet and new manufacturing equipment to its facility located at 230 Financial Blvd. in Liberty.

Operations are expected to be online in the third quarter of 2026. Individuals interested in joining the Peabody Engineering team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“When we chose Pickens County in South Carolina for our new East Coast facility, we had no idea how great it would turn out to be in terms of how the state and county work with manufacturers to support their success. Our operational costs are significantly lower here than in our other location, and the workforce is amazing. As a result, we have enjoyed tremendous growth and are excited to double the size of our manufacturing operations here in Liberty. We look forward to continued growth in the future and are blessed to call South Carolina our home.” -Peabody Engineering CEO Mark Peabody

“Peabody Engineering’s decision to expand its Pickens County operation reflects a strong confidence in South Carolina’s business climate and workforce. We are grateful for the 20 new job opportunities this expansion will bring and look forward to the impact it will have in the Pickens County community.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“When an existing company expands in our state, it is further proof that South Carolina is a place where companies find sustained success. We are proud Pickens County has proven to be an excellent location for Peabody Engineering’s manufacturing operation and applaud this $9.2 million expansion.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Peabody Engineering’s decision to expand here in Pickens County really shows the confidence they have in our people. When they first came, they promised 35 jobs and a $5 million investment — and they delivered on that commitment. Now, they’re doubling the size of their plant, bringing another $9.2 million and 20 more jobs. That’s real progress you can see and measure. This is what economic development should be about: good jobs for our residents, real investment in our community and smart growth that makes sense for Pickens County.”  -Pickens County Council Chairman Alex Saitta

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Peabody Engineering LLC (Peabody Engineering) is expanding its operations in Pickens County.
• The company’s $9.2 million investment will create 20 new jobs.
• Peabody Engineering is a plastics manufacturer.
• The company is located at 230 Financial Blvd. in Liberty, S.C.
• Individuals interested in joining the Peabody Engineering team should visit the company’s careers page.

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By Mark A Leon

Take to the roads in a rainbow of free-spirited adventure of Lowcountry wanderlust with Chucktown Scooters—Charleston’s most fun, flexible, and unforgettable way to explore the city. Why sit in traffic or circle the block for parking when you can cruise with the wind in your hair and the charm of the Holy City at your fingertips?

With Chucktown Scooters, convenience comes standard. Your scooter is delivered right to your hotel, Airbnb, or chosen location, fully fueled and ready to ride. Every rental includes a complete orientation and hands-on training session, so whether you’re a seasoned rider or a total beginner, you’ll feel confident before hitting the road. Safety and comfort are always the priority, ensuring your adventure starts off smooth.

Charleston is a city made for exploring on two wheels. Glide past Rainbow Row, take in the sweeping harbor views at The Battery, bum around one of our many sandy beaches, or uncover hidden gems tucked away on quiet cobblestone streets. Forget the hassle of parking and get ready to stop wherever inspiration strikes—from world-class dining on King Street to those picture-perfect secret gardens only locals know about. With a scooter, every turn becomes a story, and every ride is an adventure waiting to happen.

What truly sets Chucktown Scooters apart is the personal touch. The team doesn’t just hand over the keys—they share insider tips on the best routes, must-see sights, and local hot spots, making sure your time in Charleston is nothing short of extraordinary. 

It’s more than transportation; it’s a curated experience built around freedom, fun, and discovery.

Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway, a wedding celebration, or a bucket-list vacation, Chucktown Scooters transforms the way you see Charleston. With delivery to your door, full training, and the promise of Lowcountry adventure, it’s no wonder so many visitors say their scooter ride was the highlight of their trip.

So go ahead—skip the ordinary, embrace the extraordinary, and let Chucktown Scooters show you Charleston like never before.

Become part of the journey and follow Chucktown Scooters on Instagram.

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