NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Laughter echoed through the halls of the North Charleston Fire Museum this week, even as visitors grappled with the bittersweet reality that the beloved attraction will soon close its doors for good.

City officials announced Thursday that the North Charleston Fire Museum will shut down in less than 10 days, prompting families, firefighters, and longtime supporters to stop by for one final visit.

Despite the news, the atmosphere inside the museum was far from somber. Children had a chance to explore while parents watched them soak in hands-on lessons about fire safety and history.

“It would just be really good to keep it open,” said visitor Avry Dearie, who toured the museum with family members.“I feel good that we can come here before it closes and we didn’t come here too late and it’s already closed.”

For many families, the museum was more than just a collection of fire trucks—it was a place of tradition and connection. Visitor Kettley Kyre said bringing her grandchild to the museum had become a regular thing they did.

“I always pick him up from his mama and I would say, ‘Hey, let’s go see the fire trucks,’” Kyre said. “And he loves them.”

Beyond nostalgia, the museum served an important educational role, especially for children learning how to stay safe in emergencies. Interactive exhibits taught visitors about smoke detectors, fire escape plans, and what to do if a fire ever breaks out.

“We like to see the plans with smoke detectors, and we like to see fire escape plans so we can be ready if it ever happens,” Dearie said.

Local firefighters say the museum played a crucial role in connecting with the community in ways traditional classroom visits cannot.

“It’s a little more interactive than us coming to the schools,” said firefighter Kyle Goceliak. “The kids might grasp what we’re saying to them, but here they get to play with stuff and actually put their hands on it.”

As the countdown to closure continues, city officials announced anyone can visit the museum until its closing date, Feb. 14.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — North Charleston is facing a housing crunch and city leaders say the need to act is urgent.

“Let’s get these people from under these bridges. Let’s get these people from under these dilapidated homes. Let’s get these people off the sidewalks. Get them in these buildings,” Mayor Reggie Burgess said.

In response, the city has created a new, hands-on position aimed at helping residents find housing faster. North Charleston’s first-ever housing coordinator works directly with people searching for homes, tracking down available units and making sure vacancies don’t sit empty while families remain on waiting lists.

Karen Thrower was recently hired to fill that role.

“The job entails helping people, that’s it in a nutshell,” Thrower said. “My whole responsibility is to connect people to housing, which means I also need to connect them to developers. Those are the two things. This is a job about connecting people to resources.”

Thrower works directly with seniors, people experiencing homelessness, and low-income families. Much of her work involves walking residents through applications and stepping in when paperwork or eligibility issues stall the process.

She says one of the biggest obstacles residents face is simply knowing where to start.

“The biggest barrier, number one, is where do they go?” Thrower said. “A lot of people call, just in the short time that I’ve been here, asking, ‘Who can I talk to? Where can I go?’ I don’t know. A gentleman called today looking for housing for his 75-year-old mother. He said, ‘Are there any senior facilities, senior apartments that I can find? Where do I go to find those?”

The demand for housing in North Charleston remains high. Nearly 4,500 people are currently on the waitlist for one- and two-bedroom units through the North Charleston Housing Authority, which operates about 600 units across the city.

Thrower says part of her role is making sure residents are connected to organizations and services they may not even realize are available.

“They’ll begin to see a greater level of connectivity to nonprofits that serve individuals who are unhoused, who are medium to low income,” she said. “The job is to, again, begin to connect people to the resources that they normally don’t know where they are.”

City leaders acknowledge the new role won’t solve the housing shortage overnight. But they believe having a dedicated person focused on housing navigation can help move people into homes faster and reduce the number of units sitting empty across the city.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Residents in North Charleston now have a new way to turn food scraps into compost, as a new residential drop-off site opens at Northwoods Park, expanding a regionwide effort to keep food waste out of landfills.

The site officially launched with a community workshop at the Northwoods Gym, marking the second compost drop-off location in North Charleston. The first site, at Mosstree Park near Park Circle, opened about a year ago and has already collected more than 10 tons of food scraps, according to city officials.

Across the Lowcountry, the Charleston Composts program now includes 25 drop-off sites, diverting nearly 210 tons of food waste last year alone, which is equivalent to about 13 garbage trucks away from landfills.

City leaders say the success of the Mosstree Park site helped drive the expansion. Data from Charleston Composts showed a high number of participants from the Northwood Estates area, even though a drop-off location wasn’t nearby. Because Northwoods Park sits inside a residential neighborhood and hosts frequent community activities, officials identified it as an ideal location.

The project was funded through a $15,750 state grant from South Carolina’s Solid Waste Grant Program, which covered supplies, signage and outreach efforts. The grant is the sole funding source for the site.

Two compost bins are located near the baseball field at Northwoods Park, 8348 Greenridge Road. Residents must register online through the City of Charleston’s composting program to receive an access code. That code works at all participating drop-off sites throughout Charleston County, including locations in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island.

Participants can collect food scraps using a provided caddy or any household container and are encouraged to drop them off weekly. Scraps can also be stored in a freezer if residents can’t make regular drop-offs.

Collected food waste is transported to the Bees Ferry Compost Facility, where it undergoes a 45-day composting process. The material is heated, turned and screened before becoming finished compost, which can then be used in gardens or purchased through retail partners.

Unlike at-home composting, the large-scale facility can process items such as dairy products, eggs and bones, though officials say oyster shells are not accepted and are instead recycled through a separate state program.

County sustainability leaders say composting plays a growing role in reducing methane emissions, preserving landfill space and lowering long-term waste disposal costs, especially as the Charleston region continues to grow.

Officials add that with food scraps making up a significant portion of household trash, expanding access to composting gives residents a simple way to make a measurable environmental impact.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Two South Carolinians who documented and participated in the civil rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored this weekend as living legends.

Cecil J. Williams, who photographed Dr. King and the March on Washington for Jet Magazine, as well as John Reynolds, who marched with Dr. King in Selma, will receive awards at a concert Saturday titled “We’re Still Fighting.”

Williams founded the Cecil J. Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum and captured pivotal moments of the movement through his camera lens.

“I believe that it was a destiny that someone needed to capture these great things and these great moments in time that were happening here in South Carolina,” Williams said. “A lot of times, South Carolina has been left out of the history that is told about the civil rights movement.”

Museum expanding to new location

Williams’ museum started in his home and is expanding to a new space in Orangeburg this year. He said the museum serves as a place for people to understand the sacrifices made during the civil rights era.

“We are the storytellers,” Williams said. “I think it’s important because it’s a part of our cultural development to bring about again a place where people can go and see what sacrifices were made for the privileges and the things that they can enjoy today.”

Reynolds, an Alabama native who grew up on a plantation, worked with Dr. King at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference before making Kiawah Island home. He documented his experiences in his memoir, “The Fight for Freedom: A Memoir of My Years in the Civil Rights Movement.”

“It’s about giving,” Reynolds said. “It’s nice to receive, but it’s more about giving. And I think when I look at myself, I think that’s what I pride myself on that I was willing to give and put my life on the line.

Reynolds is grateful for the honor of the living tribute award. While he was not able to fully understand the power of those historical moments in the past, it’s special to him they are continuing to build a legacy now.

Concert emphasizes ongoing struggle

Lowcountry Voices will host the concert honoring both men. Sandra Barnhart, the director’s assistant of Lowcountry Voices, said the event’s message is particularly relevant today.

“We need to honor and give our appreciation to people who are out there fighting for us,” Barnhart said. “In this climate that we’re in right now where things that we’ve held on to for so long are trying to be taken away, obviously the fight isn’t over.”

The choir chooses music to represent not only Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, but music that represents the power of the Civil Rights era.

The concert will take place Saturday at 5 p.m. at St. Matthews Baptist Church, located at 2005 Reynolds Avenue. Choir leaders encourage residents to arrive at 4 p.m. for a seat.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Joao Paulo Fernandes claimed his fourth event victory and first of the season on the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour after going three-for-three to win GOVX PBR North Charleston by a qualified ride.

Fernandes picked up his first ride of the event Friday night aboard Erner Permer, scoring 85.35 points to sit in third after round one. He once again finished with the third-best score in Round two with 85.15 points on Pinecone to advance to the Championship Round. Once there, he rode Evil Eyes for 64.30 points and elected not to take the re-ride, a gamble that paid off when no other rider was able to register a third score.

Manoelito de Souza Junior finished runner-up in North Charleston with 174.80 points after riding Delta Line for 86.05 points Friday night and Whiskey Business for 88.75 points on Saturday. He was unable to convert against American Made in the Championship Round, leading to the silver finish.

Souza’s finish elevated him to second in the PWVT standings with 338.00 points, just a half-point shy of sitting tied for first. Kase Hitt remains the tour leader with 338.50 points.

Ezekiel Mitchell finished in the Top 3 for the second week in a row with an aggregate score of 173.10 points over three rounds. After bucking off Friday night, Mitchell scored 86.75 points on Red Bull to qualify for the Championship Round. He rode Fringe Minority for 80.35 points but took a re-ride option on Gunsmoke to increase his score to 86.35 points.

Miguel de Jesus finished fourth with 172.20 points, riding Martini Houdini during the second round for 84.90 points followed with an 87.30-point ride aboard Spectacular.

Rounding out the Top 5 was Zane Cook with 171.15 points. Cook bested Big Lunch on Friday for 88.35 points before bucking off Rodeo Vegas in Round 2. In the Championship Round, he rode Good for 82.80 points.

PBR’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour brings fans three events across the country over the next week with Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show Jan. 12-13. On the weekend, PBR will once again be on two coasts with Kubota PBR Charleston and PBR Ontario taking place on Jan. 16-17.

Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour replays are available on RidePass and on the PBR app.

Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour – GOVX PBR North Charleston

North Charleston Coliseum – North Charleston, South Carolina

Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. João Paulo Fernandes, 85.35-85.15-64.3-234.80-120 Points.

2. Manoelito de Souza Junior, 86.05-88.75-0-174.80-96 Points.

3. Ezekiel Mitchell, 0-86.75-86.35-173.10-72 Points.

4. Miguel de Jesus, 0-84.9-87.3-172.20-64 Points.

5. Zane Cook, 88.35-0-82.8-171.15-60 Points.

6. Brody Robinson, 0-84.7-85.35-170.05-43 Points.

7. Braidy Randolph, 0-82.45-85.05-167.50-35 Points.

8. Grayson Cole, 0-85-0-85.00-21 Points.

9. Douglas Franco, 82.45-0-0-82.45-20 Points.

10. Carlos Garcia, 0-82.25-0-82.25-14 Points.

11. Vinicius Rodrigues Pereira, 0-80.85-0-80.85-12 Points.

12. Daniel Burke, 80.6-0-0-80.60-7 Points.

Elijah Jennings, 0-0-0-0.00

Ayslan Jeferson, 0-0-0-0.00

Dione de Souza Ribeiro, 0-0-0-0.00

Dustin Herman, 0-0-0-0.00

Romario Leite, 0-0-0-0.00

Michael Lane, 0-0-0-0.00

Brandon Chambers, 0-0-0-0.00

Gavin Creviston, 0-0-0-0.00

Chase Hamlin, 0-0-0-0.00

Tanner Dale, 0-0-0-0.00

Justice Forsythe, 0-0-0-0.00

Dylan Smith, 0-0-0-0.00

Luiz Americo P. Silva, 0-0-0-0.00

Cole Trivette, 0-0-0-0.00

Marco Eguchi, 0-0-0-0.00

Bennie Shetler, 0-0-0-0.00

Gabriel Thiago Da Silva, 0-0-0-0.00

Alex Jenks, 0-0-0-0.00

Alison dos Santos, 0-0-0-0.00

Nick Garramone, 0-0-0-0.00

Jonathan Souza, 0-0-0-0.00

Gabriel Honorato, 0-0-0-0.00

Edenilso Aparecido Moura, 0-0-0-0.00

Jose Natanael Marcodes da Silva, 0-0-0-0.00

Lane Edwards, 0-0-0-0.00

Huyan Matos, 0-0-0-0.00

Mat Tolson, 0-0-0-0.00

Levi Banks, 0-0-0-0.00

PENDLETON WHISKY VELOCITY TOUR STANDINGS

1. Kase Hitt, 6, 2, 3, 338.50, $20,973.64

2. Manoelito de Souza Junior, 15, 0, 6, 338.00, $16,442.63

3. Nick Tetz, 5, 2, 4, 328.00, $16,765.80

4. Jared Parsonage, 3, 2, 2, 323.00, $116,566.29

5. Wyatt Rogers, 11, 1, 3, 238.50, $17,157.95

6. Romario Leite, 8, 1, 3, 226.00, $12,194.21

7. Afonso Quintino, 3, 1, 2, 220.00, $10,638.73

8. Daniel Keeping, 2, 1, 1, 214.00, $40,474.63

9. Grayson Cole, 8, 0, 2, 206.00, $9,948.75

10. Vinicius Rodrigues Pereira, 4, 1, 3, 202.00, $11,246.10

11. Ezekiel Mitchell, 4, 0, 3, 191.00, $9,040.00

12. Trace Redd, 5, 1, 1, 189.00, $12,350.41

13. Dakota Buttar, 6, 0, 2, 188.00, $18,304.51

13. Macaulie Leather, 4, 0, 3, 188.00, $19,861.03

15. Lane Vaughan, 2, 1, 2, 184.50, $8,066.67

16. Kurt Shephard, 3, 1, 2, 182.50, $73,649.48

17. Jordan Hansen, 2, 0, 2, 178.50, $18,610.04

18. Jaxton Mortensen, 6, 1, 1, 169.00, $8,500.00

19. Mason Taylor, 6, 1, 2, 160.00, $7,534.38

20. Rogario Venancio, 1, 1, 1, 159.50, $7,476.30

21. Warley Oliveira da Silva, 2, 0, 1, 153.00, $3,519.17

22. Joao Paulo Fernandes, 3, 1, 1, 148.00, $6,540.00

23. Kade Madsen, 4, 1, 1, 147.00, $6,466.67

24. Cleber Henrique Marques, 5, 1, 2, 133.00, $5,568.30

25. Thiago Salgado, 1, 1, 1, 132.00, $114,529.92

26. Miguel de Jesus, 4, 0, 2, 131.00, $3,800.00

27. Dione de Souza Ribeiro, 13, 0, 4, 125.50, $6,057.19

28. Jean Carlos Teodoro, 7, 2, 3, 121.50, $7,520.81

29. Jake Gardner, 5, 0, 2, 116.00, $34,851.96

30. Brody Robinson, 12, 0, 2, 115.00, $4,960.56

31. Luan Crystian Camara, 2, 0, 1, 112.50, $26,248.69

32. Adilson Junior, 4, 1, 2, 111.00, $8,811.95

33. Charlie Bailey, 5, 0, 1, 109.50, $3,943.60

34. Lucas Divino, 5, 0, 1, 109.00, $4,962.17

35. Alex Cerqueira, 7, 1, 3, 105.50, $5,730.38

36. Gabriel Morais, 2, 0, 1, 103.00, $2,399.86

37. Cauy Schmidt, 4, 0, 1, 102.00, $3,247.87

38. Francisco Costa, 1, 0, 1, 101.50, $19,449.54

39. Everton dos Santos, 2, 0, 2, 98.00, $1,441.99

40. Zane Cook, 6, 0, 1, 95.00, $2,960.00

40. Elijah Jennings, 5, 0, 1, 95.00, $4,766.67

42. Chanse Switzer, 4, 0, 1, 94.50, $3,239.57

43. Zack Morrison, 6, 0, 1, 93.00, $10,085.11

44. Cash Keeling, 1, 0, 1, 91.00, $5,250.00

45. Dustin Herman, 5, 0, 1, 90.00, $4,677.70

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