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Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.
Approximately $120 million investment expected to create 58 new jobs
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Leonardo DRS, through its subsidiary, DRS Naval Power Systems, today announced it selects Berkeley County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The company’s approximate net investment of $120 million is expected to create 58 new jobs.
Leonardo DRS is a leading provider of defense products and technologies. Its subsidiary, DRS Naval Power Systems, provides naval power and control technology solutions for the U.S. Navy and allied navies, and for commercial applications.
The company will build a 140,000-square-foot manufacturing and test center at 1588 Bushy Park Road in Goose Creek. This facility will expand the company’s capability to integrate its next-generation propulsion system into current and future naval platforms including the U.S. Navy’s priority program, the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine.
Operations are expected to be online by 2026. Individuals interested in joining the Leonardo DRS team should visit the company’s careers page.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.
QUOTES
“We are proud to be building the next-generation electric propulsion system for the new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. This new facility in South Carolina expands our capability to support our U.S. Navy customers on this and other critical programs that enhance the nation’s submarine industrial base.” -Leonardo DRS CEO Bill Lynn
“The defense industry is an integral part of South Carolina’s economy. We are proud Leonardo DRS, a company that serves the U.S. Navy, chose to invest in our state and our people. We look forward to a strong and successful partnership for many years to come.” -Gov. Henry McMaster
“Congratulations to Leonardo DRS on a substantial investment in Berkeley County. We are anxious to witness the impact this investment will have on our state and the opportunities it will create for our people.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III
“We proudly welcome Leonardo DRS to one of the top industrial sites in Berkeley County. This project highlights our county’s continued support for the United States military. Berkeley County, the greater Charleston region and our country will surely reap the rewards of this milestone technology and economic development opportunity.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
“We are excited that Leonardo DRS, a renowned multinational defense firm, has chosen the Charleston region for their new manufacturing location. Today’s announcement is a testament to our region’s strong workforce, pro-business climate and world class industrial parks. We welcome Leonardo DRS to Berkeley County and look forward to continued collaboration and success.” -Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board Chair Chris Fraser
FIVE FAST FACTS
Leonardo DRS selects Berkeley County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation.
The company’s approximate net investment of$120 million is expected to create 58 new jobs.
Leonardo DRS is a leading provider of defense products and technologies.
The company is located at 1588 Bushy Park Road in Goose Creek, S.C.
Individuals interested in joining the Leonardo DRS team should visit the company’s careers page.
Sonja Ogletree Satani Files to Run for SC House 98
Lowcountry Democrat announces campaign for Dorchester County district.
SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA– Dr. Sonja Ogletree Satani will file to run for South Carolina House District 98 today at 12:00pm at the Dorchester County Voter Registration and Elections Office (201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477).
Dr. Ogletree Satani is a wife and mother of three, Air Force veteran, professor, and small business owner. Her diverse background includes roles in international public relations, community organizing, military and government contracting, and education.
“I’m running because our interests aren’t being represented in the State House,” Dr. Ogletree Satani said. “I’m focused on economic growth, support for public education, and more funding for infrastructure projects in our community.”
Dr. Ogletree Satani criticized her opponent, incumbent Chris Murphy, for his support for extremist legislation. “He voted for the extreme abortion ban, he voted to take away money from public schools and send it to private schools, and just last week he voted to let 18 year olds openly carry guns without any training or a background check. If I’m elected, I’ll work to protect women’s rights, support public education, and bring common sense to Columbia.”
House District 98 is a competitive district that has trended towards Democrats in recent years. The district sits in Dorchester County and includes parts of Summerville and North Charleston. For more information about Dr. Sonja Ogletree Satani’s campaign, visit www.sonjaogletreesatani4sc98.org.
The Radicalis a bold, daring new boutique hotel and living art installation that just opened in the fall of 2023. This new boutique experience is located at 95 Roberts St, Asheville, NC 28801.
Housed in a once-abandoned 1920s warehouse that was formerly a cereal factory, the hotel is Asheville’s newest destination for travelers and locals alike with 70 unmistakable guest rooms and suites, plus a flagship wood-fire restaurant named Golden Hour, a rooftop bar, and a cafe and bar called after/glow. Each of the food and beverage concepts are from local Asheville resident and two-time James Beard-nominated restaurateur Jacob Sessoms.
Espresso Martini at after/glow – Photo by Savannah Gibson
The hotel’s name is inspired by the moniker “RAD,” short for the River Arts District, an Asheville neighborhood that runs along the French Broad River and houses working studios and galleries of hundreds of artists focused on painting, pottery, jewelry, glass, metal, wood and much more. The Radical brings together a collective of buzzing energy, creative characters and shared experiences designed to inspire guests to be fearlessly radical.
Ongoing and timely happenings at The Radical include:
Girls in the Booth (Every Thursday, 7-10pm) – Thursdays at after/glow are all about Girls in the Booth! The morning, noon and night spot invites guests in for their new series, Girls in the Booth, highlighting a different local female DJ every Thursday from 7-10pm. Check after/glow’s Instagramfor the latest lineup.
Supper at Six (Monthly) – Golden Hour’s new series is made for talented women across all industries. This monthly women in business supper club is an opportunity for great minds to eat, drink and gather. For $45 per person, attendees can enjoy a three-course supper and one glass of bubbly. Check The Radical’sInstagram for the latest.
Art Sessions with Live Demo and Q&A (2nd Saturday each month) – Coinciding with the River Art District Gallery Walk, The Radical hosts an art session the second Saturday of every month. Highlighting a different local artist each time, the sessions include a live demo of the artists’ work from noon-5pm followed by a Q&A with the artists at 5pm.
Breakfast at after/glow – The cafe is now serving fresh and hearty pastries and breakfast items from The Radical’s chefs and bakery team. Guests can pair their morning coffee with savory items like the Everyday Breakfast Sandwich with baked egg, bacon, cheese & a house English muffin, Grits & Greens Bowl with poached eggs, parmesan chili crisp & toast and more. See here for the full menu.
Brunch at Golden Hour – Later this month, Golden Hour will be launching a new weekend brunch menu and hosting a special Easter brunch. More details to come!
Dessert at The Golden Hour – Photo by Evan Anderson
ABOUT THE PROPERTY
The 70-room contemporary hotel breathes new life into a historic building while preserving beautiful evidence of its past lives — from a 1920s breakfast cereal factory to a graffiti artists’ vacant paradise. With rebel luxe interiors by Suomi Design Works, the hotel’s richly layered design effortlessly melds with towering raw concrete pillars, exposed brick walls and original street art, including work from decades past as well as modern pieces. Paired with distinctive guest touchpoints created by Might & Main, the result is a place that feels like nowhere else. Simultaneously spectacular and ultimately approachable, The Radical is a decadent and welcoming destination for all within the gritty RAD neighborhood.
The Radical’s guest rooms are a revelation, where lush contemporary design honors and evolves decades of organic artistic expression preserved on the walls of the historic building. Guests can immerse themselves in sumptuous curtained headboards, serene marble and brass bathrooms, broad windows to let the Asheville sunlight pour in, and blackout curtains for when it’s time to retreat to the darkness or mix up a drink under dramatic mood lighting.
The Radical offers eight room types including suites, river views and ones with spacious seating areas, plus black-out curtains, writing desks, smart TVs and wet bars.Reservations start at $239 per night depending on when you stay. Check rates and availability here.
THE ART
The Radical is a living, evolving museum of street, classical and modern art. The previously vacant building was covered in wall-to-wall graffiti, and instead of erasing it, the owners adopted the artwork as design inspiration, incorporating the concept into the hotel.
To honor the history of the building and reflect the surrounding River Art District community, The Radical team engaged veteran local artist Ian Wilkinson to foster the tradition of graffiti in the building and curate what is now a world-class collection of art. The hotel features over 200 unique and original works of art, and Wilkinson and a team of talented artists – from Asheville and beyond – designed and painted murals in each guest room plus large-scale immersive works featured throughout the hotel’s common areas.
Wilkinson has collaborated to produce many landmark murals, fostering creativity and artistic expression for people of all ages. His passion has extended to organizing street art events, showcasing a commitment to community engagement. Specializing in archival mural production, Wilkinson serves as a valuable resource for fellow artists and has forged solid relationships with many preeminent figures in the mural and street art world. His work continues to add to the vibrant tapestry of cities around the world, like Miami, New York, Denver, Sacramento, Denver, San Francisco, Paris, Lyon and others.
Artists involved in The Radical include Ishmael, Patch Whisky, KOMBS, Brett Bell, Brian, O’Rourke, Gillian Maurer, Stacy Kraft, Colton Dion, Dan Reid, Roan Allen, Shannon Owens, Maryanne Pappano, Emery, Joey Hindi, Mason Arana and Ian Wilkinson.
THE FOOD & DRINK
Helmed by celebrated local Asheville restaurateur Jacob Sessoms, The Radical takes guests on a culinary journey with three in-house food and beverage concepts. Golden Hour, the downstairs wood-fire restaurant. Open daily for dinner starting at 5pm and offering a full bar, Golden Hour is an easy-going yet refined spot for hotel guests and locals alike to grab a bite or drink. The free-flowing space is centered around a racetrack bar in the middle of the dining room and an open kitchen featuring a custom-made, wood-fired grill that fuels the buzz of the restaurant. The space seats 85 people inside and about 45 people on a beautifully terraced outdoor patio.
Centered around locally sourced, farm-driven ingredients, guests can expect a focus on seasonal dishes like ‘Country Captain’ Salad with market vegetables & walnuts and Wood-Grilled Skewers including BBQ’d Japanese sweet potato, chicken, shrimp or local & cultivated mushrooms, as well as a chophouse menu of bold, shareable dishes coming off the wood-fired grill. Highlights include Braised Lamb Shank with winter roots & beans, Whole Sunburst Trout with Lee’s rice & vierge and Half or Whole Chicken. Other tasty menu items include the Big-Ass Hamburger Sandwich with house fries, Pork Chop with pepper relish and small bites like Shellfish Beignets, Brave Potatoes, Deviled Crab Dip and more. See here for the full menu.
Golden Hour’s beverage program includes crafted cocktails with a twist alongside an exciting wine list with around 100 bottles, many of which are from natural, organic and Biodynamic producers.
Rooftop Bar – Photo by Evan Anderson
Guests looking to unwind or get work done can head to after/glow, a coffee bar that evolves into a cocktail lounge each afternoon. The morning, noon and night spot is open from 7am-9pm Sunday-Wednesday and 7am-11pm Thursday-Saturday and offers daytime counter service including espresso, drip coffee from North Carolina-based Counter Culture Coffee and Dobra teas. Plus, guests can enjoy specialties like the chilled and frothy after/glow “draft latte” and a bright, rich and heady Honey Lavender Cappuccino. Cold and blended drinks include The Day Starter with honey, peanut butter, strawberry & banana and the Earlyglow with cold brew, banana, granola, oat milk & vanilla-orange. Housemade morning bites rotate often and include staples like croissants, danishes and sweet and savory pastries.
Come 3pm, after/glow transitions into a down-tempo bar serving handcrafted cocktails with music from a live DJ every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. after/glow serves playful, coffee-forward cocktails like Irish Moonlight – lush, rich, dark and warm, Bitches Brew – not your morning matcha latte, the Player’s Anthem – a cold frothy rum creamsicle and an Espresso Martini – say less! See here for the drink menu.
The Roof is a 125-person capacity rooftop bar overlooking the French Broad River and Asheville’s River Arts District. Open from noon to midnight when the weather is right, the Roof’s open-air bar serves up an inviting atmosphere with the best views in town for nibbles, sunset cocktails and weekly live music.
Sessoms is the founder and chef-partner at Perfectly Ad Hoc Hospitality Group and opened the iconic Asheville restaurant Table in 2005, launching the first of numerous successful culinary ventures in town. Today, the group also encompasses All Day Darling, a neighborhood café in Asheville’s historic Montford neighborhood. Sessoms, who oversees menu development, sourcing and operations at each concept, believes food should be soulful and heartfelt, and ingredients and attitude matter – no matter fine dining or casual. Each concept sources products locally from farmers and artisans he and his team know personally, and they make nearly everything in-house. A father of two, he aims for all of his restaurants to serve food that he would be happy to serve his own family.
Unique and bold bathrooms – Photo by Hatteras Sky
Photo by Hatteras Sky
By Hatteras Sky
Photo by Hatteras Sky
One of a kind art and decor – Photo by Matt Kisiday
William Parker solicited pornographic photos and videos and sexually abused women in his family, attorneys said
BY: Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — A former police chief in Lexington County was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for threatening and sexually abusing members of his own family to collect nude photos and videos from them through a false identity.
William “Billy” Parker, 67, pleaded guilty in October to cyberstalking resulting in serious bodily injury and communicating threats with the intent to extort.
A mugshot of William “Billy” Parker. Parker was sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday, March 15, 2024. (Provided/Lexington County Sheriff’s Department)
Under the aliases of “Willie Boner” or “John Wayne,” the married father of two called, emailed and texted six women in his family in 2021 and 2022, telling them to send him pornographic photos and videos of themselves.
If they refused, Parker told them he would rape them, their children and their grandchildren, and that he’d hurt their husbands or uncles. His messages often included specific details about what their family members looked like, where they worked and where they lived, proving to them that he was capable of harming them, prosecutors said.
“I had no idea such a deep level of fear existed,” one victim said in a statement that prosecutors read Thursday in court.
His wife attended but did not speak.
Judge Cameron McGowan Currie called Parker’s actions so disturbing, they kept her up at night.
“This is simply as depraved as anything I’ve seen in my 30 years as a federal district judge,” she said in issuing Parker’s punishment.
Still, she shaved three years off the recommended minimum sentence of 18 years.
His defense attorneys sought five to 10 years. Asking for leniency, they said he had a 37-year career as a reputable police officer in the Columbia area with no criminal record. He retired in 2017 after five years as police chief for tiny Pine Ridge, a town of 2,000 people. His attorneys said he was haunted by the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder from it and his job.
That, combined with Parker being unlikely to outlive a 20-year prison sentence, is why Currie said she went with 15 years.
‘Depraved and disgusting’
Prosecutors laid out his criminal scheme and how he used his reputation as an officer to victimize his own family.
Using fake email accounts, burner phones and voice-modulated messages, Parker threatened six women, including his sister-in-law, niece, sister and son’s girlfriend, they said.
The women, thinking they were being extorted by a stranger, turned to Parker for advice because of his history in law enforcement.
Parker told the women to do whatever the person asked out of fear that their families might get hurt. He told the women not to call the police, reassuring them that he would use his authority as a longtime police officer to work with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on the case.
“What perverted advice is that?” prosecuting attorney Elliott Daniels said.
Once a woman sent a photo or video, Parker would use it to get more, Daniels said.
Either Parker would solicit more photos and videos from the woman who had sent the first one by threatening to leak it, or he would use the photos and videos as blackmail for other women in the family, telling them he would expose their loved one unless they sent the same.
Eventually, Parker — still pretending to be “Willie Boner” or “John Wayne” — demanded the women have sex with him. In at least one case, Parker sexually abused one of the women after the extortionist — who happened to be him — demanded a sex video. Parker did so under the guise of making it look real to appease the scary person making the demands, attorneys said.
Parker’s defense attorneys said they could not defend or excuse what he did.
“There are not enough words in my vocabulary to describe how depraved and disgusting his behavior was,” defense attorney Steven Hisker said.
Blaming PTSD
Parker committed his crimes in “the darkest period of his life,” Hisker said.
He was dealing with PTSD caused by trauma as a child, when a cousin repeatedly raped him, he said.
“I think that’s really what set this train in motion,” Hisker said.
As a child, Parker had no access to counseling or other help in dealing with the sexual abuse, so he instead buried it and, for most of his life, ignored it. And during his decades in law enforcement, Parker dealt with homicides, suicides, car wrecks and other situations that were difficult to process. Still, he shoved that all down, Hisker said.
In 2018, Parker told his son, a drug addict, to leave his property after seeing him and his girlfriend injecting heroin outside Parker’s house. Parker’s son got angry and attacked him with a metal bar. Parker, afraid for his life, shot both him and his girlfriend.
Both survived, but that scarred Parker, said his attorneys and a counselor he has been seeing for the past two years. Friends wrote to the judge that after that, he withdrew from his community and became increasingly isolated.
On top of that, he retired early from his job in Pine Ridge after he was attacked during an arrest, requiring shoulder surgery and leaving him adrift from his identity as a law enforcement officer.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Parker became increasingly depressed and isolated. He developed a pornography addiction before eventually soliciting pornography from women in his life, Hisker said.
‘Not the Billy we know’
When his family members learned what he had done, most were shocked, defense attorney John Meadors said.
“‘This is not the Billy we know,’” Meadors said Parker’s wife, Becky, told him.
Parker’s actions shocked even him, he told the judge Thursday.
“I don’t know how I could’ve done such horrible things to the people I love,” he said.
His counselor and spiritual advisor, Dorrie Smith, said Parker recommitted himself to religion after his arrest.
“Billy is a mostly good person who has done mostly good things in his life,” Smith said.
Friends also wrote to the judge asking for leniency.
“I continue to respect the Mr. Billy I knew, and I am at a loss to understand why and what caused Mr. Billy to do the actions which he has admitted to committing,” wrote former Pine Ridge Mayor David Busby. “I cannot fathom how a man who served so many years to uphold the law and serve others could commit such egregious acts.”
In a tearful statement to the court, Parker apologized to the women he abused and extorted, saying he has been praying three times a day for their healing and forgiveness.
“Whatever (the sentence) is, we’re going to get through this,” Parker said. “But believe me, I’m worth saving.”
Parker’s case was tried in federal court because at least one of the women he extorted lived in a different state, according to court documents. Under a South Carolina law passed last year, sexual extortion within the state can also be tried as a felony, with a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years.
The renovations of the West Ashley Branch of the Charleston County Library System has been complete and it is time for the big re-opening at South Windermere Center.
Here are all the details:
What: Grand Opening of the West Ashley Branch – Charleston County Libary
Where: Charleston County Library – West Ashley Branch – 45 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
PIEDMONT, S.C./PRNewswire/ — With immense gratitude for our community’s support, Firefly Solar celebrates significant growth, expanded headquarters, and broadened services in South Carolina. Our journey of excellence, recognized by accolades such as the Best of the Upstate’s Solar Service Company and inclusion in the INC 5000 list, underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainable energy solutions and customer service.
Firefly Solar Expansion And Energy Cost-Savings: Firefly Solar owner, Aaron Davis, tours Firefly Solar’s recent property acquisition due to business growth in South Carolina’s Upstate. In addition, Firefly Solar has extended solar services into Virginia and shares energy cost-saving incentives including the Inflation Reduction Act plus North Carolina’s PowerPair program by Duke Energy. Learn more about Firefly Solar at: https://firefly.solar
“Recent milestones signify more than expansion; it’s a testament to our community’s trust and the hard work of our team. We’re energized to continue innovating and providing top-tier solar and energy efficiency services,” expressed Aaron Davis, owner of Firefly Solar.
Amidst growing environmental awareness, Firefly Solar has taken note of theInflation Reduction Act’s financial incentives. These benefits could significantly enhance the value of integrating solar energy systemswith home energy efficiency (HVAC) projects and EV charging stations, offering South Carolina residents potential cost savings and energy independence.
Our expansion into residential and commercial EV charging solutions marks a pivotal step towards strengthening the EV infrastructure. With optimism, we invite collaborations with cities and municipalities, enhancing accessibility to clean transportation.
The expertise of our energy and electrical specialists has naturally evolved into offering comprehensiveHome Energy Efficiency (HVAC) services. Our approach strives to implement the cleanest, most cost-efficient home energy solutions, directly benefiting our clients.
Firefly Solar’s distinction as a Tesla Premier Certified Installer showcases our capability to integrate the most advanced solar technology, including theTesla Powerwall 3 and Tesla Solar Roof tiles. These offerings embody our dedication to merging aesthetic appeal with energy efficiency.
We’re equally excited to introduceSolar Power Gazebos, a unique blend of style and functionality, enabling customers to extend their living spaces outdoors while harnessing solar energy. Available through our online store, these gazebos are a testament to our commitment to innovative energy solutions.
As Firefly Solar propels into the future, we invite South Carolina homeowners and businesses to join us in embracing renewable energy. For more information on how we can make a difference together, visit our website or email us.
Southern Ruetz, the original hat bar in Charleston, South Carolina is located in the downtown historic district at 128 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401. This unique gem in Charleston is established and owned by Laura Voth, a local artist, entrepreneur, business owner, and patron to local artists and their small businesses. She uses her personal hat business, Southern Ruetz, to support forty local women-owned businesses and give them exposure and representation in a store front. Voth’s hat bar offers personalized service to customers to create their own one-of-a-kind hat with the guidance and support of a passionate hat expert.
There are a number of unique rooms, all with creative vibes, available at Southern Ruetz for reservation for large parties wishing to design their own hats in a private space. The different rooms emulate various eclectic settings, for example: the world renowned Rainbow Row, a charming cigar parlor that makes you feel as if you just stumbled into La Casa del Habano, and a garden party room filled with blossoming colors that creates a true southern charmed experience are three of the rooms available for reservation.
These rooms allow you a space to immerse yourself and your closest companions into a memorable imaginary getaway with, of course, a complementary refreshing beverage.
After sculpting and assembling your masterpiece, it’s a must to head upstairs into Maker Mall, an area dedicated to 40+ local Charleston artists with plans to expand to 60+ this Spring. There you will find a wide array of beautiful and unique items available for purchase. Makers Mall truly encompasses Charleston and its local treasures.
Laura and her team have created a unique shopping experience in her newly opened boutique, Southern Ruetz. The support she regularly provides to local artists and craftsmen is evident in the friendly and welcoming vibe you feel as you enter her shop. In an ambiance of artistry, Southern Ruetz offers an exceptional experience that provides a high level of comfort in lowcountry luxury.
We are thrilled to announce the launching of a new Charleston local startup coming this April, 2024.
Lowcountry Littles, founded by John and Anna will be bringing a unique set of products to market to help parents give a better life to their young ones.
Let’s learn a little bit more about their story:
Born in the heart of the Lowcountry, we’re dedicated to crafting products that are as safe as they are delightful. Dive deeper into our story and discover the passion behind every product.
Lowcountry Littles is a lifestyle brand born in the heart of the Lowcountry in Charleston, SC. Our lifestyle can be summed up with the words: babies, premium, nontoxic, sustainable, and joyful – all bound by the Lowcountry’s color and charm. Bridging two of our greatest passions (our home in Charleston, SC and our life as parents) our purpose is to create premium, innovative baby products that reflect the beauty of the coastal Lowcountry we are privileged to witness every day. God’s creation is an incredible gift and serves as a reminder of how special we are to live on this earth. As parents we get to eat, sleep, and breathe babies. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and it’s unpredictable. But, it’s a gift, and we are given the responsibility of making our child’s life better than our own. Tired of cheap products with bland coloring, we started our own brand to bring joy back to parenting and offer a reminder of the gift that it is. Your child is worth giving your best, so that’s what we offer you.
Our signature launch, The Palmetto Pouch, came from a period of vulnerability and helplessness during our first year as parents. While our child struggled with baby-led weaning for months, we watched his growth charts drop to below 5%. It was scary, and there was not a lot of support from doctors or friends that kept telling us to keep doing the same thing and it would eventually work. After months of struggling, we found that one of the few things our child would eat was pureed food. After researching baby food pouches, we discovered that over 2 billion disposable pouches are purchased annually. This encouraged us that we were not alone, but we also had a sinking feeling about all the sugar, toxic materials, and wasteful consumption going on. In a better effort to help parents in our position, we created a reusable baby food pouch made from food-grade silicone, free from any toxic materials and highly resistant to extreme temperatures. Oh, and also with a silicone baby spoon for a more convenient mealtime. It is our hope that parents and caregivers will be better equipped to make fresh choices for their children by using The Palmetto Pouch. These have been a game changer in our own life, and we cannot wait to share them with you too!
GAINESVILLE, Ga./PRNewswire/ — Patients in the southeast now have an innovative, non-invasive treatment option for liver cancer tumors. In a groundbreaking leap forward, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has become the only hospital in Georgia – and one of the few in the United States – to offer a new, progressive form of cancer treatment known as histotripsy.
Northeast Georgia Medical Center is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than one million people across more than 19 counties.
NGHS is anchored by Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s five hospital campuses – NGMC Gainesville, NGMC Braselton, NGMC Barrow, NGMC Habersham and NGMC Lumpkin – with a total of more than 850 beds and more than 1,300 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. It is our mission to improve the health of our community in all we do.
Dr. Nelson Royall is a recognized national leader in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, including robotic surgery, and complex diseases such as neuroendocrine tumors, polyposis syndromes, and pancreatitis.
Dr. Terence Jackson specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, particularly esophageal, gastric biliary tract, liver, pancreatic and colon and rectal malignancies.
“Histotripsy represents the latest advancement in cancer care, using soundwaves – not surgery – to eliminate cancerous tissue,” said Nelson Royall, MD, a surgeon with Northeast Georgia Health System’s employed physicians group, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group. “The focused ultrasound waves precisely break down targeted tissues and eliminate tumors through sonic beam therapy.”
NGMC’s physicians perform histotripsy by using the Edison System, a sophisticated platform that delivers very short pulses to create a “bubble cloud” that is designed to mechanically destroy and liquefy targeted liver tumors, without any incisions or needles. Histotripsy has been FDA-approved for the treatment of cancerous liver tissue since October 2023.
“One of the key advantages of histotripsy is its ability to achieve precise tissue destruction without the need for incisions or invasive procedures,” said Terence Jackson, MD, another surgeon with NGPG. “Histotripsy allows patients to have a quicker and easier recovery. I look forward to performing histotripsy on patients, along with Dr. Royall, later this year.”
Any patient with liver tumors is a potential candidate for histotripsy. This includes tumors that have formed within the liver or those that have spread to the liver from other organs. NGMC is the first and only health system in Georgia, and most of the southeast, to offer histotripsy.
For more information about histotripsy at NGMC, visit nghs.com/histo
ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER
Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest, the five NGMC campuses have a total of more than 850 beds and more than 1,300 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than one million people across more than 19 counties. Learn more at nghs.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) and Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY), a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and who has become a leading brand in women’s sports, announced today the lineup for the 2024 Ally Tipoff. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, November 10 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte and will be a doubleheader, featuring #1 South Carolina taking on #11 NC State and a rematch of last year’s game with #2 Iowa and #13 Virginia Tech.
“Ally and Charlotte Sports Foundation announce 2024 Ally Tipoff lineup and extend partnership through 2026”
In addition to unveiling the 2024 Ally Tipoff lineup, Ally and CSF have agreed to a multi-year partnership extension. This extension, which runs through 2026, will allow the two Charlotte organizations to continue to bring elite women’s college basketball to the local community.
“We believe the Ally Tipoff is the premier regular season women’s basketball event in the country,” said CSF executive director Danny Morrison. “Ally has been a tremendous partner and with the support of ESPN Events and the Spectrum Center, we know we will build on last year’s success and create an unmatched player and fan experience.”
Last year’s meeting of Iowa and Virginia Tech was unforgettable with Iowa winning 80-76. The game featured superstar Caitlin Clark leading the Hawkeyes with 44 points and Georgia Amoore pacing the Hokies with 31 points, including a half court buzzer beater.
As much of a success the game was on the court, it equaled that success off the court as well. The game set a record with an attendance of 15,196, which is the largest regular season women’s basketball game in North Carolina history. Also, last year’s game averaged 548,000 viewers, which at the time was the most-viewed regular season women’s college basketball game on ESPN2 since 2017.
“Ally Tipoff is THE ‘tipoff’ event for the women’s college basketball season. Last year’s success proved what we at Ally talk about all the time – the insatiable fan demand that’s out there for women’s sports, especially for these major matchups early in the season,” said Stephanie Marciano, head of sports and entertainment marketing at Ally. “Along with our partners at Charlotte Sports and ESPN, we cannot wait to watch four of the top programs in the country compete in this doubleheader. The Queen City and every fan around the country who tunes in will not be disappointed.”
Ally has quickly become a leader in women’s sports because of its commitment to media equity and intentional expansion of its sponsorship portfolio. In addition to the Ally Tipoff and its relationship with Charlotte Sports, Ally has a long-standing relationship with the NWSL and recently announced several new sponsorships, including: partnering with the United States Golf Association, becoming the presenting partner of the U.S. Women’s Open; entering the WNBA by Ally Bank becoming the official retail banking partner of the Las Vegas Aces; and introducing several player-direct relationships. Each of these deals are built to make women’s sports unmissable.
The games for the 2024 Ally Tipoff will be broadcast on ESPN platforms with specific details announced at a later date. For more details, please visit AllyTipoff.com, or sign up for updates on tickets via theCharlotte Sports Foundation newsletter.
Additional Quotes:
“This is the type of event we love to play in – high-level opponent, regional so our FAMS can be part of the game, and backed by a sponsor who has invested in growing women’s sports We appreciate the Charlotte Sports Foundation and Ally Financial for coming together to create what should be a great day of women’s basketball in Charlotte – a place I know appreciates great basketball.” – Dawn Staley, head coach of South Carolina
“Ally is an unbelievable supporter of women’s athletics and women’s basketball in particular. We are so thankful to them and the Charlotte Sports Foundation for this awesome opportunity for our student-athletes. We’re honored to participate in such a premier event.” – Wes Moore, head coach of NC State
“We are excited to once again play in the Ally Tipoff. The tipoff was one of most exciting events of the early season for us Hawkeyes to compete in. The arena, the support, the competition, the treatment of our athletes was all first rate. We look forward to returning to Charlotte!” – Lisa Bluder, head coach of Iowa
“I am very excited to have our Hokies participate in the Ally Tipoff put on by the Charlotte Sports Foundation. Last year’s game against Iowa was a memorable game and gave our team much needed experience playing in a big-time event with an incredible atmosphere. The commitment to women’s sports was on full display and we are honored to do it all again.” – Kenny Brooks, head coach of Virginia Tech
Charlotte Sports Foundation The mission of the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF), a 501(c)(3), is to provide leadership for sports-based initiatives that result in a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the Charlotte region. CSF was created in the spring of 2013 as a combined entity of Charlotte’s two primary sports development groups, Charlotte Collegiate Football and the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission. Its origins can be traced to the vision of Charlotte civic leaders after the very successful hosting of the 1994 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
The Foundation also provides support for recruitment and operation of other local sporting events, and spearheads Charlotte’s continued growth as a preferred host for premier national and regional sporting events. The events include college basketball’s Jumpman Invitational presented by Novant Health, the Ally Tipoff, college football’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl, ACC Football Championship Game and Duke’s Mayo Classic, and the Meck Mile presented by Albemarle, which launches on Memorial Day weekend 2024.
The Board of Directors that guides the Charlotte Sports Foundation boasts a dynamic roster of top Charlotte civic and business leaders. Please visit www.CharlotteSports.org for more information.
About Ally Financial Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves approximately 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.
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