“Strength in Partnership” – St. John’s Fire District response to collaborative efforts during recent Johns Island Fire

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Strength in Partnership – Last evening units with Charleston, St. Johns, James Island PSD Fire Department, and St. Andrews Fire Department all responded to a large structure fire on Maybank Hwy. Your incident command team was a mix of personnel from the St. John’s Fire District and the Charleston Fire Department.

Regardless of jurisdictional boundary, the closest fire apparatus and command units are dispatched. This automatic aid partnership is world-class and provides Charleston area residents and visitors with exceptional and timely service. Working and training together ensures incidents like these are cohesive and under control even in difficult circumstances.

Great work to all responding firefighters!

Photos from Charleston Fire Department via Facebook

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission purchases property to expand parking at the Shem Creek Boat Landing

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(MOUNT PLEASANT, SC) – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) recently purchased a .53-acre property in Mount Pleasant that will allow for parking expansion at the Shem Creek Boat Landing, one of the area’s most popular landings. The purchase included two lots adjacent to the boat landing on Simmons Street.

The land was purchased by CCPRC for 1.9 million dollars from PSC, LLC, and the transaction was brokered by Buckley Powell with EXP Commercial.

“The purchase of this land is wonderful news for boat owners and any user of the Shem Creek Boat Landing, which is currently one of the county’s busiest boat landings,” said CCPRC Executive Director Kevin Bowie. “We were very pleased to have the opportunity to expand parking at this site to better serve the community.”

Initial planning is now underway for the site work and parking spaces that will come with the purchase of the Simmons Street property. In addition, the Shem Creek Boat Landing will undergo previously scheduled accessibility and drainage improvements with repaving the existing parking lot this winter.

CCPRC maintains 19 public boat landings throughout Charleston County. For additional information on these landings, visit ccprc.com/Boating.

The mission of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs, and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes four-day parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, a historical plantation site, interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities.

The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.

Photo Gallery: Saint James Church (closing its doors after 302 years)

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By Mark A. Leon

On Sunday, November 20th, the Saint James Church on Camp Road (James Island) will host its final service at this location after 302 years.

Founded in 1720, this church has served the local community with open arms as well as the final resting place for prominent forefathers and foremothers of the Lowcountry.

On the dawn of the emotional final service, we wanted to share a photo journey and pay homage to the Saint James Church (1872 Camp Road).

The church will resume next month with a different denomination

Charleston, South Carolina’s Thinnest House

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“The Afro-American has become heir to the myths that it is better to be poor than rich. Lower-class rather than middle or upper. Easy going rather than industrious. Extravagant rather than thrifty and athletic rather than academic.”

Right in the heart of the East side on corner of Reid and America Street is Charleston, South Carolina’s thinnest house. This home, which later became an art installation for Spoleto and now source of wonder for those passerby walkers, joggers and adventurers.

Next time you are on the East side, take some time to admire the rich history and proud sense of community.

It truly is a beautiful part of our city.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Leon – Charleston Daily

New Surf Shop opening in downtown Charleston – Quiet Storm Surf Shop

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The location formally occupied by The Loft will soon be reopening as the brand new Quiet Storm Surf Shop.

267 King Street will now be a haven for beach vibes and ocean lovers.

Quiet Storm has been in business since 1984 providing affordable clothing, boards, accessories and more and are excited to be part of the King Street shopping experience.

Official website

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Ashley River Property Protected Forever

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LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST PROTECTS VITAL LAND WITHIN ASHLEY RIVER HISTORIC DISTRIC

Conservation easement will provide invaluable benefits for national scenic byway and state scenic river.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC – Lowcountry Land Trust announced today the permanent protection of 33 acres on the Ashley River in the heart of one of South Carolina’s most iconic landscapes, the Ashley River Historic District. The three properties making up the site are owned by members of the Carter family and are each bounded by the District’s national scenic byway and state scenic river

The properties are part of a growing network of protected lands in the Historic District, which in 2018 was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a “National Treasure” and one of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Located in the Cooper, Ashley, Wando, and Stono (CAWS) conservation focus area of South Carolina, the protection of these properties will provide invaluable ecosystem services, such as the enhancement of downstream water quality and the protection of natural and biologically diverse habitats in the Ashley River watershed. In addition, the conservation easements will forever protect the scenic views of the property from the state scenic river and the national scenic byway and contribute to the protection of a 25,000-acre historic landscape that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We are grateful to the Carter family for the many public benefits that come from protecting their ecologically and culturally rich properties along the beautiful Ashley River and Ashley River Road,” said David Ray, Chief Conservation Officer of the Lowcountry Land Trust. “The project’s completion demonstrates the vigor conservationists and landowners continue to bring to saving this nationally significant place in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST

Founded in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust partners with landowners and community organizations to permanently protect and nurture land throughout coastal South Carolina. Lowcountry Land Trust holds conservation easements on over 150,000 acres across 17 counties in coastal South Carolina and manages community-centered places such as the Angel Oak Preserve. More information about
the Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria (Futrell) Bock, vbock@lowcountrylandtrust.org, 843.410.067