Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

By Mark A. Lemon

South Carolina is once again stepping into the national culinary spotlight, earning three prestigious nominations from the James Beard Foundation for its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the food world,” these honors recognize excellence across the country, and this year the Palmetto State is proudly represented in categories spanning Best Chef: Southeast, Outstanding Bakery, and Best New Restaurant. The nominations highlight not only the state’s growing reputation as a food destination, but also the creativity and craftsmanship emerging from its kitchens and bakeries.

Leading the charge is Joe Cash of Scoundrel in Greenville, who earned a nod for Best Chef: Southeast, a highly competitive category covering six states. Meanwhile, Charleston continues to shine with two standout nominations: Weltons Tiny Bakeshop is recognized in the Outstanding Bakery category, and Merci lands on the coveted Best New Restaurant list. Together, these nominations underscore South Carolina’s dynamic and evolving food scene—one that blends Southern tradition with bold, modern innovation on a national stage.

South Carolina saw nominations in three categories: Best Chef: Southeast; Outstanding Bakery; and Best New Restaurant. The full list of nominees in each category are as follows:

Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

• Joe Cash, Scoundrel, Greenville, SC
• Mary Ellen Diaz, Alma Bea, Shepherdstown, WV
• J. Trent Harris, Mujō, Atlanta, GA
• Taylor Montgomery, Montgomery Sky Farm, Leicester, NC
• David Willocks, The Baker’s Table, Newport, KY

Outstanding Bakery

• Cultured, Sister Bay, WI
• Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, Anchorage, AK
• Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem, NH
• Weltons Tiny Bakeshop, Charleston, SC
• Wild Crumb, Bozeman, MT

Best New Restaurant

• 1033 Omakase, Milwaukee, WI
• Agnes and Sherman, Houston, TX
• Anjin, Kansas City, MO
• Emmett, Philadelphia, PA
• Ki, Los Angeles, CA
• Lei, New York, NY
• Maison Bar à Vins, Washington, D.C.
• Merci, Charleston, SC
• Robin, St. Louis, MO
• Tamba, Las Vegas, NV

Tickets for the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago can be purchased here.

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Nonnanest introduces SightAware™, a non-wearable baby monitor that tracks skin temperature from across the crib with no WiFi, no app, and no subscription

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nonnanest, Inc., a baby wellness technology company founded in Charleston, SC, today announced that its flagship product, SightAware™ by Nonnanest, has achieved patent-pending status. SightAware is a contactless infrared baby wellness monitor that reads skin temperature from up to four feet away, without requiring a wearable sensor, WiFi connectivity, or a smartphone app.

Founder and CEO Nathan Overbey designed SightAware after a personal experience revealed a gap in the baby monitor market.

“When our son was six months old, he woke up in the middle of the night crying, and he was obviously warm,” said Overbey. “I looked back at the monitor we had and all it could tell me was the room temperature. In that moment I thought, how long had his skin temperature been rising? Why isn’t there something that could have told me that? After months of research I realized there was nothing on the market that worked offline, nothing that offered truly secure connectivity, and nothing that didn’t require strapping a sensor to the baby. The market doesn’t need another high-resolution camera. It needs more awareness.”

SightAware uses a proprietary infrared sensor array to read surface skin temperature contactlessly, similar to the technology used in pediatric no-touch thermometers. The video and skin temperature data transmit via FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum), a secure wireless protocol that hops across 80+ frequency channels per second. All data stays local between the nursery camera and a dedicated 5-inch HD parent display. No internet required, no external servers, no accounts to create.

“We made a deliberate decision to keep SightAware offline,” said Overbey. “Parents consistently tell us they’re concerned about connected devices and the security risks that come with them. We didn’t want to bring a product to market that didn’t meet the highest security standards, so we built it on FHSS, a fully encrypted signal that never touches the internet. We also felt strongly that parents shouldn’t be forced to use their phone as the display. A dedicated screen means the monitor works independently. No app, no notifications competing for your attention, no phone battery to worry about at 2 AM.”

Key features of SightAware by Nonnanest include:

• Contactless infrared skin temperature sensing up to 4 feet
• FHSS secure wireless transmission, no WiFi or Bluetooth required
• Dedicated 5-inch HD parent display, no phone or app needed
• Real-time skin temperature and room temperature awareness
• Customizable comfort thresholds with gentle audible alerts
• 355-degree pan, 60-degree tilt, two-way audio, lullabies, and infrared night vision
• 5-minute setup with crib mount and wall mount included

SightAware is priced at $329 with no subscription fees or recurring costs. The product is expected to be available for purchase in spring 2026 at nonnanest.com.

Overbey brings over 15 years of enterprise technology experience from Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Blackbaud, and holds an MBA from the University of South Carolina.

Nonnanest is a wellness device, not a medical device, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Skin temperature readings are for informational purposes only to help parents be aware of general wellness and comfort. For any health concerns, always consult a pediatrician or qualified healthcare provider.

About Nonnanest Nonnanest, Inc. is a Charleston, SC-based baby wellness technology company founded in 2024 by Nathan Overbey. Learn more at nonnanest.com.

Follow Nonanest on Instagram.

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2026 Charleston Airshow Moved to Charleston Harbor

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – After careful consideration, Joint Base Charleston officials announced today that the 2026 Charleston Airshow, originally scheduled for May 2-3 on Joint Base Charleston, has been transitioned to a single-day harbor-front show on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

This change is a necessary result of increased operational requirements due to current global events. This increased operations tempo makes hosting the large-scale event on the installation increasingly complex. 

“Our commitment to our operational mission is paramount,” said Colonel Jason Parker, Joint Base Charleston commander. “While we value the tradition of the airshow and our relationship with the Lowcountry community, we must prioritize the demands of our current operations and the support to our deployed warfighters. We are actively working on a safe and exciting alternative to showcase our gratitude for the community’s outstanding support.”

The harbor-front airshow will take place over the Charleston Harbor, South of the Cooper River Bridge between downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant and will feature the Blue Angels and other aerial performers.

Those that purchased premium seating tickets for the original airshow format will be receiving a refund in the coming weeks.

All questions can be directed to Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs via email at628.ABW.PA@us.af.mil or by phone at (843) 963-5608.

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(CHARLESTON COUNTY) – Summer is coming, and the Lowcountry’s beaches will soon become very busy. To make it as enjoyable and as safe of an experience as possible, Charleston County Parks encouragesbeachgoers to familiarize themselves with important information and best practices before planning their next beach trip. 

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) operates Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park. From spring break through September, the beaches are typically quieter on weekdays, with Fridays, weekends and holidays seeing larger crowds. CCPRC encourages beachgoers to take note of the following tips and important information:

Park Capacity

While approaching the islands, CCPRC encourages drivers to look for digital highway signs denoting beach parking capacity. The status of the parking lot for CCPRC’s beach parks will be updated in real time by staff, so guests know before they reach the park if parking is full.

Kiawah Beachwalker Park has 150 parking spots and usually fills to capacity by 10 a.m. in the summer. The Town of Kiawah prohibits vehicles from idling or parking outside the entrance to Kiawah Beachwalker Park. When the park is full, staff can add guests to a virtual line, but they will be directed to move and wait elsewhere. Text notifications alert customers as they move to the front of the queue. Parking for buses, RVs and campers is not guaranteed.

Isle of Palms County Park has 445 parking spots and usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays, with spots often becoming available again in the late afternoon. When parking is full, police will allow about 20 vehicles to wait in line for spaces to open. Once the turn lane outside the park is full, police will direct vehicles to move and wait elsewhere. Be aware of City of Isle of Palms parking ordinances. And note that there are only two lanes of traffic leaving Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. On a crowded day, if weather or another event causes many people to try leaving the islands at once, traffic will back up, and it could take up to two hours for the park to empty. The free CARTA Beach Reach Shuttle is another way to access Isle of Palms County Park. 

Folly Beach County Park has 225 parking spots and usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays, with spots often becoming available again in the late afternoon. When the parking lot is full, look for City of Folly Beach parking lots on West Ashley Ave. to prevent blocking roads and driveways. Review City of Folly Beach parking ordinances in order to avoid being towed or ticketed.

The beach surrounding the Folly Beach Pier can be a troublesome location for rip currents. Staff at the pier frequently respond to emergencies when patrons swim too close to the pier and get caught in rip currents. When swimming in the vicinity of a pier, stay at least 200 feet away from the structure. Also, learn how to spot a rip current and how to escape them by swimming parallel to the shore. Learn more on the USLA website at https://www.usla.org/page/RIPCURRENTS.

Pets on the Beach

Pets must always remain leashed within the beach parks, but are not permitted on the Folly Beach or Mount Pleasant Piers. Each municipality has their own ordinances pertaining to dogs on the beach: 

City of Folly Beach, City of Isle of Palms, Town of Kiawah Island

Alcohol & Smoking

Possession and consumption of alcohol, as well as smoking, vaping and tobacco use are prohibited at CCPRC beach parks.

Additional beach park rules and information can be read on the parks’ webpages: https://www.ccprc.com/parks/.

Other safety tips

·   Swim near a lifeguard when possible and obey their commands

·   Watch children at all times

·   Seek shelter when lightning is in the area

·   In case of separation, take a photo of your group when you arrive, to aid in a search if someone were to go missing

·   Bring water and stay hydrated

Other Resources

Keep up to date on the latest beach traffic reports by downloading the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government’s Beach Reach app, available for Apple and Android. Also consider taking the free CARTA Beach Reach Shuttle to Isle of Palms County Park.

For more information on Charleston County Parks beach parks and safety, call 843-795-4386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com – https://www.ccprc.com/parks/.

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By Mark A Leon

Charleston, South Carolina’s historic peninsula is one of the most walkable and visually celebrated urban environments in the United States. Yet beneath its charm lies a growing public safety concern: pedestrian behavior—particularly jaywalking—has become an increasingly dangerous factor contributing to serious injuries and fatalities. While infrastructure improvements and driver accountability are essential, stronger enforcement of jaywalking laws must be part of the solution.

Charleston’s narrow streets, dense tourism, and constant vehicle flow create a uniquely hazardous environment for pedestrians who cross outside designated areas. Unlike modern cities designed with wide sidewalks and controlled crossings, the peninsula’s historic layout leaves little margin for error. When pedestrians step into traffic unexpectedly, drivers often have only seconds to react—especially on busy corridors like King Street or the Crosstown. This unpredictability significantly increases the likelihood of collisions.

The data underscores the urgency. Between 2018 and 2022, the Charleston metropolitan area recorded 147 pedestrian fatalities, placing it among the more dangerous regions in the country for walkers.  Even more concerning, Charleston Police reported 259 vehicle-pedestrian collisions in just a three-year period, with roughly 70% resulting in hospitalization.  These are not isolated incidents—they reflect a systemic safety issue.

A key contributor to these accidents is crossing behavior outside of marked crosswalks. National safety research shows that nearly 60% of pedestrian deaths occur away from crosswalks, where drivers are less likely to anticipate foot traffic.  In a city like Charleston, where traffic patterns are already complicated by tourism, rideshares, and delivery vehicles, jaywalking amplifies this risk dramatically.

Recent tragedies on the peninsula highlight the real-world consequences. In December 2025, a pedestrian was struck and killed on King Street—one of the city’s busiest corridors—marking the seventh auto-pedestrian fatality of the year investigated by Charleston Police.  Incidents like this are not anomalies; they are part of a troubling pattern. Downtown intersections such as King & Broad and the Septima P. Clark Parkway corridor have long been identified as high-risk zones for pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. 

Jaywalking not only endangers the individual crossing the street but also creates ripple effects that can harm drivers and other motorists. Sudden stops, swerving, and chain-reaction crashes can occur when a pedestrian enters traffic unexpectedly. In many cases, pedestrians have little protection against the force of a vehicle, often resulting in catastrophic injuries such as head trauma or spinal damage. 

Critics may argue that enforcement unfairly targets pedestrians or detracts from larger infrastructure issues. However, enforcement and education can work hand in hand. Clear, consistent policing of jaywalking laws would reinforce safe crossing habits, particularly in high-traffic tourist areas where visitors may be unfamiliar with local traffic patterns. Just as seatbelt laws and DUI enforcement have changed driver behavior over time, pedestrian compliance can improve through visible accountability.

Ultimately, Charleston’s identity as a walkable, historic city depends on its ability to protect those on foot. Strengthening enforcement of jaywalking laws is not about punishment—it is about prevention. With rising pedestrian fatalities and a growing population, the city cannot afford to ignore the role unsafe crossing behavior plays in these incidents. Proactive enforcement, combined with public awareness and smarter urban design, can help ensure that Charleston’s streets remain not only beautiful, but safe for everyone.

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Related: Charleston metro ranks #9 in deadliest metro areas for pedestrians, study reveals – ABC News 4

By Mark A Leon

The porch is still there. Weathered boards, a couple of rocking chairs, maybe a ceiling fan that hums more out of habit than necessity. But everything beyond that porch—everything that once defined a Southern farmer’s life—has changed.

Where fields once stretched uninterrupted to the horizon, there are now subdivisions, solar farms, and “For Sale” signs that don’t stay up long. The land is still rich, but its purpose feels less certain. Farming, once a way of life passed down like a family recipe, is now a business measured in margins, data, and global markets.

And yet, the porch remains a place to sit and think.

An aging Southern farmer today doesn’t just watch the weather roll in—he checks it on his phone first. He tracks crop prices before sunrise and reads about droughts halfway across the world that will somehow affect his own yield. The rhythm of the land is still there, but it now beats alongside the pulse of technology and uncertainty.

What hasn’t changed is the weight of memory.

From that porch, he remembers when neighbors didn’t need invitations—just a slowing truck and a wave. When evenings meant stories instead of screens. When the only noise was cicadas and distant laughter, not the steady hum of traffic creeping closer year by year.

Rural America is shrinking in some ways and stretching in others. Young people leave for cities, chasing opportunity, while newcomers arrive looking for quiet they don’t quite understand yet. The culture shifts, subtly at first, then all at once.

Still, the porch offers perspective.

It’s where past and present sit side by side. Where a man can hold onto what was while trying to make sense of what is. The land may no longer define life the way it once did, but it still shapes the soul of those who’ve worked it.

And maybe that’s the truth of it.

The South isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. Faster than some would like, slower than others expect. But on that porch, with the same wide sky overhead, there’s a quiet understanding:

Some things are worth holding onto.

Even as everything else changes.

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