The mission of the Town of Summerville’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drone) Program is to offer aerial services in a manner that is safe, responsible, and transparent. We aim to enhance the safety and well-being of the citizens of Summerville through the strategic and ethical use of drone technology.
Overview:
The Town of Summerville’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Program is a multi-departmental initiative that employs drone technology to optimize various facets of municipal services and public safety. The program involves trained operators from the Police, Fire, GIS, Public Information, and Planning Departments, among others. While the Police Department uses drones for search and rescue missions and suspect apprehension, the Fire Department utilizes them for fire monitoring and emergency response planning. GIS and Planning Departments use drone-acquired data for terrain mapping, infrastructure planning, and land-use studies. The Public Information Office leverages the technology for real-time information dissemination during public events or emergencies. Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and a strong commitment to privacy rights are foundational to the program. A robust system of accountability and transparency, including detailed flight logs and monthly public reporting, ensures responsible use across all participating departments.
Meet the Program Team
Town Program Manager: Chris Makowski, Public Information Officer
Public Safety Program Manager: Andre Lafon, SPD Air Support Unit
Summerville Public Safety Pilots: Andre Lafon, Ian Anderson, Jagger Kenyon
Know Before You Fly: An education campaign to educate prospective users about the safe and responsible operation of drones and/or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Restaurant Week South Carolina kicks off January with an 11-day celebration featuring counties from across South Carolina and will run from January 8-18, 2026.
Participating restaurants in the Lowcountry and throughout the state, from fine to casual dining, will feature new menu items, offer fan favorites, and multi-course menus during Restaurant Week South Carolina.
History is the core of existence. It is the glory of triumph, the tears of pain, innocence lost, discovery found and the roots of who we are. In the Lowcountry, the importance of history could not be more vital to our future. As we continue to uncover the past, we make the right decisions to lead us into the fate of generations to come.
There is a theater company whose founders, Chris Weatherhead and Clarence Felder each have brought over 50 years of theatre, television and cinema experience to their mission of preserving history, uncovering its unanswered questions and bringing thought-provoking and life-changing theatre to the Charleston area community.
Actors Theater of South Carolina continues to bring professional theatre and promising original works to the stage and they are the center of our business spotlight
As they begin their 30th year in the Lowcountry, let us learn a little bit more.
Mission
Actors Theater of South Carolina (ATSC) is a professional theatre and motion picture company dedicated to productions of excellence in professional theatre and camera arts, new works by South Carolinians, training for professionals and projects about unsung heroes of the American Revolution in South Carolina and the works of William Shakespeare.
History
Actors Theater of South Carolina [ATSC] is one of the few professional theatres in South Carolina which also has a film division. It was founded 24 years ago by theatre, film, and television entertainment veterans, Clarence Felder and Chris Weatherhead.
We will celebrate 30 years in 2025!!
Included in our 105 successful live theater productions since 1995, are…
“Frederick Douglass…No Turning Back”, “Beethoven: His Women & Music”, 2: Goering At Nuremberg”, “Southern Men”, “Whispers and Dreams: Voices of Carolina Slave Children”, and “PIRATES! The Revenge of Col. Rhett”,“Rainbow of a Different Color,” all chosen to perform at Piccolo Spoleto International Theatre Festival in Charleston.
ATSC trains actors, writers, and directors in professional theater and motion picture skills.
Our film division, MOVING IMAGES GROUP has created two independent award-winning feature films and seven shorts:
All For Liberty and John Laurens’ War, are
both about extraordinary heroes of the American Revolution in South
Carolina. These films have won nine international film awards.
ATSC received a major grant from SC Humanities for John Laurens’ War. Facebook: All For Liberty & John Laurens’ War – The Movie. Website: www.JohnLaurensWarMovie.org
“ALL FOR LIBERTY”,directed by Chris Weatherhead and produced by Ron Mangravite, stars Clarence Felder. “ALL FOR LIBERTY” also won two awards from the SC Sons of the American Revolution and 1st Prize in Media from the Texas DAR, and a DOVE Foundation Family Seal of Approval for age12+
Filmmakers From Around the World Get Ready to Gather for BIFF 2026 in February
BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES, December 30, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Beaufort Film Society announced today the Official Selections for the 20th anniversary edition of the Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF), which takes place February 17 – 22, 2026 in Beaufort, SC. Judges selected 54 films and 5 Screenplays from over 500 submissions from 56 countries. The Official Selections span the genres of feature films, documentaries, short films, student films, animation and screenplays.
Bob’s Best Friends Directed by Randy Kent, Los Angeles, CA
Goody Directed by Zoe Lubeck, Columbia, SC
Imbalance Directed by Dale Griffiths Stamos, Santa Barbara, CA
Magic Hour Directed by Jacqueline Christy, New York, NY
Mr. Wonderful Directed by: Mark David, St. Louis, MO
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Stronger Than You Think Directed by: Janice Molinari and Melissa Forman, Santa Monica, CA
The Slave In Your Backyard Directed by: Daniel Fisher and T. Scott Reeves, Lexington, SC
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Swine Heart Directed by: Brad Bennett, Lynchburg, VA
The Battle of Honey Hill Directed by: Will Weinstein, Mount Pleasant, SC
The Sounds of New York Directed by: Daniel Stanislawski, Wroclaw, POLAND
ANIMATION
Croaked Directed by: Rohan Gnaniah, Pooler, GA
Jurassic Joyride Directed by: Patrick Daniel Sandoval, Charleston, SC
The Crawfish Dance Directed by: David Donar, Ontario, CANADA
The Goblins of Sycamore Street Directed by: Jay Lorenz, Alpharetta, GA
STUDENT FILM
Collision Theory Directed by: Vanessa Lavoie, North Hollywood, CA (New York Film Academy)
Goodbye Stranger Directed by: Neil Zafar Haeems, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (University of Southern California)
Hell In A Climate Haven Directed by: Thomas Comick and Amelia Waldeck, Winston-Salem, NC (University of North Carolina School of the Arts)
The Lights Above Directed by: Luke Salewski, Valley Village, CA (University of Southern California)
Yer Smackin Directed by: John Field Brown, Austin, TX (Texas State University)
DUTY & HONOR
Forward Directed by: Alex Luchsinger, Elon, NC
Miles, Morale, and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II Directed by: Tim Gray, South Kingstown, RI
The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph Directed by: Michael Gier, Los Angeles, CA
SHORT FILMS
8 AM Directed by: Thomas Mendolia, Greensboro, NC
Bark Directed by: Searit Kahsay Huluf, Los Angeles, CA
Headbang Directed by: Anna Khaja, Los Angeles, CA
Line Dance Directed by: Timothy McCracken and Robert Kelly McAllister, Denver, CO
Lonely Directed by; Bobby Bosko Grubic, CROATIA
Magan’s Fare Directed by: Dana White and Chris Knoblock, Willoughby Hills, OH
Never Too Late Directed by: Colleen Davie Janes, New York, NY
Obit Directed by: Ben Tedesco, Santa Monica, CA
O & O Directed by: Jack Lafferty and Griffin Davis, Winston-Salem, NC
Postman Directed by: Faizan Anees Bazmee, Mumbai, INDIA
Saverio Directed by: Ellen Anhui, Pasadena, CA
Sienna and the Sit Directed by: Scottie Thompson, Manhattan, NY
Shoot Shovel and Shutup Directed by: Trans Hoang Calvin, New York, NY
Snipped Directed by: Alexander Saul, Charlottenlund, DENMARK
Summerville 70 Directed by: David Boatwright, Charleston, SC
The Drive Directed by: David Arrow, New York, NY
The Dumbletons Directed by: Wendell Laurent, Larchmont, NY
The Long-Reigning King of Rollercastle Skateland Directed by: David Hull, Brooklyn, NY
The Artis Residence Directed by: Sarah Dresser, Charlotte, NC
The Spanish Lesson Directed by: Simone Stadler, New York, NY
The Liars of Black Mountain Directed by: Parker Croft, Los Angeles, CA
Together Forever Directed by: Lauren Butterfield, Gulfport, FL
Walter Directed by: Julie Restivo, Claremont, CA
Watching Walter Directed by: Mitch Yapko, Panorama City, CA
Wanna Be A Star Directed by: Brian Russell, Fairfield, CT
SCREENPLAYS
Freedom Clan Written by: Richard Levine, Lady Lake, FL
Panopticon Written by: Sophia Peaslee, Santa Fe, NM
The Trail Written by: Yvonne Paulin, Stamford, CT
Two Fingers Written by: Shelley Reid, Abbeville, SC
Wings Written by: Maja Pavic, Zagreb, CROATIA
BEST COMEDY NOMINATIONS
Bark (Short)
Bob’s Best Friends (Feature)
Collision Theory (Student)
Magic Hour (Feature)
Saverio (Short)
Sienna and the Sit (Short)
The Artis Residence (Short)
The Dumbletons (Short)
The Long-Reigning King of Rollercastle Skateland (Short)
Together Forever (Short)
Walter (Short)
Wanna Be A Star (Short)
Yer Smackin (Student)
BEST ACTOR NOMINATIONS
Barkhad Abdi, Magan’s Fare (Short)
Jack Lafferty, O & O (Short)
Michael Madsen, Mr. Wonderful (Feature)
Xavier Mills, O & O (Short)
James Naughton, Sit With Me While I Die (Short)
Michael Toureck, 8 AM (Short)
BEST ACTRESS NOMINATIONS
Piper Collins, Goody (Feature)
Quincy Cho, Saverio (Short)
Sarah Dresser, The Artis Residence (Short)
Sharon Lawrence, Imbalance (Feature)
Julie Restivo, Walter (Short)
Miriam Shor, Magic Hour (Feature)
BEST DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
Faizan Anees Bazmee, Postman (Short)
Jacqueline Christy, Magic Hour (Feature)
Michael Gier, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph (Doc Feature)
Randy Kent, Bob’s Best Friends (Feature)
Jack Lafferty and Griffin Davis, O & O (Short)
Brian Russell, Sit With Me While I Die (Short)
BEST ENSEMBLE NOMINATIONS
Magic Hour (Feature)
O & O (Short)
Sienna and the Sit (Short)
Sit With Me While I Die (Short)
The Artis Residence (Short)
Walter (Short)
BEST SCORE NOMINATIONS
Goody, Michael Hilger, Maci Stewart, Quinn Tsan (Feature)
Imbalance, David Arkenstone (Feature)
Postman, Parth Saraf (Short)
The Artis Residence, Seth Dresser (Short)
The Slave In Your Backyard, Gray Haven (Doc Feature)
Together Forever, Lauren Butterfield (Short)
For more information about the 20th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival, visit beaufortfilmfestival.com.
The Beaufort Film Society is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 member-supported organization dedicated to providing the highest levels of entertainment and education to the public from all areas of the film industry.
Charleston County Government has earned national recognition for its management and reporting of public funds, receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s Triple Crown distinction. The award recognizes excellence in three categories: financial reporting, budget presentation, and public-facing financial transparency.
The Triple Crown is one of the highest honors in government finance and reflects Charleston County’s commitment to clear reporting, responsible budgeting, and accountability to residents and taxpayers.
“This recognition is a testament to the skill and dedication of our finance team,” said Charleston County Administrator Bill Tuten. “Their work reflects a steady commitment to high standards in financial management, from thoughtful planning to clear and accurate reporting. Maintaining that level of excellence takes care and consistency, and our team brings that commitment every day on behalf of Charleston County residents.”
The Triple Crown awards recognize governments that present financial and budget information in ways that are both technically sound and clearly communicated to the public.
Charleston County has won the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 37 years in a row, the
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 36 years in a row, and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award 6 years in a row.
Additionally, Charleston County has maintained its AAA bond rating, the highest possible rating, as affirmed by three of the world’s leading bond ratings agencies, Moody’s Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings.
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In keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), those needing assistance should contact Charleston County at
Who is excited for the 20th Annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival!!! We certainly are. This year’s tagline is “Celebrating Charleston’s Flavor. Fueling its Future.” How beautifully appropriate.
Here are the key things you need to know to prepare for a week of celebrating culinary delight and community gathering:
Click HERE for the 2026 Charleston Wine + Food Schedule and Ticket Sales
Where to stay – Click HERE for lounging recommendations
What to get involved as an exhibitor, participant or volunteer? Click HERE
Today, more than ever we have lost our way. Forced distancing resulting from a pandemic; misguided by the journeys of others manifested by tainted media; and polarization, fueled by extreme manipulation.
Sometimes we forget, not intentionally, but too often swayed into misguided judgements and actions.
This Christmas, we have the power to return to a place where the love of another; the touch of a kind heart and the genuine compassion of the soul are the positive force needed to find our way back.
We are a kind people, gentle in natural and strong of heart.
Today we have the chance to begin to find a way back to one another.
Let us not forget:
We are born innocent with only imagination to guide our way.
We are born with the intentions of leading a life of purpose.
We are born to love powered the gift of life.
We are born to be part of a generation to make things better than they once were.
Look within your heart
Today, look inside your heart. What do you see?
I see a world with the potential to love unconditionally!
I see friends, loved ones, family, and strangers that are led by acts of gracious kindness!
I see a place where our children will grow up void of hate and danger!
I see sunlight shining with warmth and vigor.
Today we banish the darkness and look to the light.
Today let’s be guided by a future full of promise and hope.
That is what Christmas means to me.
Happy Holidays Charleston, Lowcountry and around the world.
Thank you for loving.
Remember this, when a church bell chimes and echoes off the city walls, an act of kindness has been rendered to a neighbor.
SUPER CHIX announced the opening of its fourth South Carolina restaurant, located in West Ashley; a vibrant and growing neighborhood just outside historic Charleston! The official open date was December 9, 2025.
The new SUPER CHIX restaurant is at 1137 Savannah Hwy, Suite 630, Charleston, SC 29407 – phone number (843) 640-3318. “Following nearly twenty new Super Chix openings over the past year, we’re excited to expand again in South Carolina and bring our Brand to the Charleston area,” said Darryl Neider, CEO of SUPER CHIX.
“West Ashley is the perfect spot for SUPER CHIX with its convenient access, strong community, and close-knit local businesses. Residents, students, and travelers alike now have a great new choice for a fresh, superior-quality fast-casual lunch or dinner experience; one they can enjoy with family and friends. It’s truly an honor for us to open here. Congratulations to SUPER CHIX franchisees Todd Justice, Scott Coffman, and their operating team headed up by Jeremy Tuberville for their third SUPER CHIX® opening,” said Darryl Neider, CEO of SUPER CHIX.
“We are pleased with our growth in 2025 and prospects for 2026 in various markets across the country, and the enthusiasm with which new guests are embracing SUPER CHIX in all locations. The West Ashley, SC restaurant is the 13th SUPER CHIX restaurant to open in 2025 and we look forward to many more in 2026. Next to open will be: Seattle – Maritime, WA; Gastonia, NC; Conyers, GA; and Battleground, WA. The West Ashley, SC SUPER CHIX is our 46th location system wide,” he said.
SUPER CHIX is the premium counter-casual dining experience bringing together superior, fresh ingredients with first-class preparation methods and recipes. SUPER CHIX® is known for its fun fresh vibe with a hip and welcoming dining environment. We’re not a fast-food joint: we serve cooked-to-order hand breaded, never-frozen, crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches, big juicy tenders, and fresh hand-cut seasoned French fried Idaho potatoes — all within reach of our custom sauce bar, offering limitless flavor combinations that keep our guests coming back. Additionally, we’ve mastered six unique hand tossed salads and perfected our premium frozen custard that is churned in-house throughout the day.
How often has the phrase, “it’s a small world” come into your personal narrative? Perhaps never more poignant than the 23rd Annual Dickens Dinner at Circa 1886 this past Thursday.
After spending a charming evening of eloquent storytelling of Tim Lowry which fell nothing short of a Broadwayesque one-person narration of Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” the room, unassisted, found their way to the corner of the upstairs dining room of Circa 1886 in a community group photo. Yet, behind all the smiles and the common shared experience, new individual friendships arose.
Friendships inspired from Dickens
Let me share one. Using the phrase “middle man” is an understatement. After spending much of the evening conversating with a wonderful couple from North Myrtle Beach to my left, I uncovered a true love story. After meeting and courting in college and then moving on to separate lives and families, this couple re-united 25 years later to discover a love that still remained.
Now 25 years removed from their second encounter, they are about to celebrate their fourth grandchild this coming April. If she is named Ashley, I won’t take full responsibility, but may have helped.
That isn’t the complete story…
At the end of the night, it was discovered, over a discussion about Christmas prime rib with the couple to my right (told you I was the middle man), that these two couples have residences less than one mile from one another in North Myrtle Beach.
After exchanging numbers (pen and paper) they have a started to formulate a future steak dinner couples date.
That delightful couple to my right, whose primary residence is Mount Pleasant had their own 2025 miracle story. The gentleman survived a stroke which MUSC Health doctors gave a 5% – 10% chance of survival. Not only survived but a full recovery and let me tell you, he looked great. After telling the story and recalling reading the notes of the surgery from MUSC, he described the event and his life as humbling and fortunate.
An amazing night of unexpected relationship building centered around one of the most important literary storytellers in history under the roof of a heralded culinary institutes.
Now that is a Charleston story!
A Night of Memorable Dining and Storytelling
Tim Lowry, author, storyteller, historical ambassador and now honored to be partnering with Circa 1886 for his 23rd year, is a gift.
A true storyteller whose timing, charm, eloquent demeanor and passion to bring life to words was engrossing. To see his smiling face slide in and out of the dining room between each of the four courses filled the heart with a sense of childhood wonder. Tim brought to life Dickens and Scrooge in a way I have never witnessed.
Channeling the characters both living and spirited with zest, determination and raw emotional power was brilliantly choreographed.
With carefully placed banter and ad lib sensibility, Tim dictated the flow of the narrative while connecting with each of us in his own way. An entertainer, through and through.
The 23rd Annual Dickens Dinner was one of the most authentic and beautifully traditional Christmas themed events I have been fortunate enough to attend this season in Charleston.
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