Hair Salon near Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON — A state inspector general’s investigation of the Charleston County School Board has identified “acts of malfeasance, misfeasance, conflicts of interest, policy violations, misconduct in office, and neglect of duty” allegedly committed by a board member or members whose names were redacted from the report issued late Aug. 27.

Gov. Henry McMaster requested the S.C. Office of Inspector General investigate whether one or more board member willfully breached protocols or broke state law. McMaster requested the investigation on Jan. 15 and it covered the period from Nov. 7, 2022 to the present.

The report, which seems to focus on a particular but unidentified member of the nine-person board, alleges that “Trustee X” wrongfully disclosed confidential information to the news media and a district vendor, used the position of trustee for personal gain and failed to report taxable income, among other transgressions that violated board policies and the state’s Ethics Act.

In a statement released after the report’s publication, district officials said they are “deeply disappointed” by the actions described in the document, adding the findings are “serious and do not reflect the standards expected of those serving the district and its community.”

District officials said they cooperated with the inspector general throughout the investigation that included officials interviewing every board member under oath along with staff and other interested parties, the report said.

The 27-page report listed six main findings and numerous recommendations for board members and district officials, including that the governor consider removing Trustee X from the board.

The findings include:

The inspector general’s recommendations for addressing these and other issues include:

The report cited $248,000 in taxable income that Trustee X failed to report over several years as the operator of Next Level Educational Services LLC. Next Level is an educational consultation company. CCSD board member Darlene Roberson is identified as being CEO of Next Level Educational Services according to previous Post and Courier reporting.

When reached by The Post and Courier Aug. 27, Roberson, who was first elected to the board in 2022, confirmed she is the CEO of Next Level but said she had not conducted any business in that capacity since she had been on the school board. She said she has not reviewed the report.

The document also called into question whether Trustee X resided in Charleston County when elected to the board in November 2022. At the time, Trustee X listed residence in Hollywood, the report states. But a review of public documentation by the inspector general found a Charleston County address in Ravenel along with additional documentation that listed a legal residence in Summerville, which is in Dorchester County.

Inspector general staff viewed hours of recorded board meetings and attended several meetings in person, often finding trustees “bickering” about proper procedures, according to the report.

“Picayune, intra-Board squabbling accomplishes nothing but greatly distracts from the District’s highest priority — student achievement and preparing the future leaders of our communities,” the report states. “This was no more evident than the dispute over an individual’s failed nomination for the District’s foundation board that caused the District’s expenditure of financial resources in legal representation in court based on a majority Board decision.”

The statement referenced 2026 disputes over nominations to the district’s newly formed education foundation’s board after Roberson’s pick was voted down.

Pam McKinney, the board’s chairwoman, said in a statement the actions described in the report are “serious and concerning.” The board will review the recommendations and determine the appropriate next steps, she said.

“We will respect the governor’s decision and cooperate fully with local, state and federal law enforcement and other authorities as this process moves forward,” McKinney said.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A major manufacturer of battery charging and power supply solutions is bringing its first American production facility to the Lowcountry.

IEB Americas, a subsidiary of the German company Industrie Elektronik Brilon, is investing $1.5 million into a new facility on Carolina Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, creating 30 new jobs.

The facility will serve as a base for American production, warehousing, service and training.

“We are proud to open a new chapter in the IEB success story with our new facility in South Carolina,” CEO Stefan Fiedler said. “We are bringing our leading energy systems and charging technologies directly to the U.S. market — delivering innovation, closer customer proximity, and tailored solutions at a new level: local, flexible, and with a clear focus on the future.”

IEB Americas Inc. President Ty Griffin said the North Charleston facility marks a key milestone for the company’s growth strategy.

“This investment allows us to bring manufacturing closer to our customers, strengthen our supply chain, reduce lead times, and provide world-class service and support throughout North America,” Griffin said. “We are excited to become part of the Charleston business community and look forward to building long-term partnerships throughout the region.”

Gov. Henry McMaster welcomed the company to the state.

“South Carolina is pleased to welcome IEB Americas to our state as the company invests in Charleston County,” McMaster said. “This investment and the creation of 30 new jobs will benefit the local community and create new opportunities for South Carolinians for years to come.”

Anyone interested in the new positions is encouraged to visit the company’s LinkedIn page.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A terrible incident that happened to a North Charleston woman as a child turned into inspiration for a new law in South Carolina to help people who experience seizures.

“Yes, I was 6 years old, and I was stabbed in the eye with a pencil by a classmate,” JenVon Cherry said.

Cherry’s family lived in Washington, DC at the time. Two weeks later, she experienced a grand mal seizure. Part of the pencil lead had lodged in her brain. Doctors performed emergency surgery, but the injury caused her to become epileptic.

She was having three to four seizures a month, triggered by anything from bright lights to heat.

“But stress definitely can be a number one trigger. Lack of sleep, not taking your medication on time or not taking your medication at all, not eating properly,” Cherry said.

After she stopped working seven years ago, she started a non-profit called Epitome of Epilepsy to help others dealing with the brain disorder. Friends encouraged her to reach out to lawmakers as well.

“There were a lot of members in the Senate who had no idea that you don’t put something in the person’s mouth because there’s a lot of misconceptions surrounding perhaps you don’t want them to choke or bite their tongue, so you place a spoon there. That is not medical advice,” Sen. Deon Tedder said.

Lawmakers passed the Seizure First Aid and Epilepsy bill with unanimous support, and the governor signed it into law this year.

“And so what it does is, it requires all state entities, state agencies to post them in conspicuous places so that it’s clear and visible for employees. The do’s and don’ts for epilepsy if someone is experiencing a seizure in the workplace,” Tedder said.

An easy-to-use guide is now available on the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s website, instructing people on how to keep seizure patients safe.

“And this is only mandatory for state agencies and state entities, but what we would hope is that the private sector also values the importance of this information and the safety mechanisms behind it, and that they too utilize the resources that the state is providing by also putting these up in their places of employment as well,” Tedder said.

Cherry is humbled that her journey is making a difference.

“Most of all, I just think that God has really blessed me to be able to be in this position to help others,” Cherry said.

Officials with the National Epilepsy Foundation were in attendance for the bill signing, and we could see similar proposals in other states as well.

“And now they are excited about it. They want to utilize our model and push this in other states. That’s something that I’ll be helping out with in the next session,” Tedder said.

To access a copy of the seizure first aid instructions, click here.

To learn more about Cherry’s organization, Epitome of Epilepsy, click here.

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. — U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston and Joint Base Charleston invite media representatives to ride aboard Coast Guard Cutter Eagle (WIX 327), Thursday, June 11, as it arrives at the Cruise Passenger Terminal in Charleston.

Media interested in the ride-in opportunity must meet Joint Base Charleston personnel at 6:50 a.m. on Thursday at the Union Pier Cruise Terminal, located at 196 Concord St., Charleston. Participating media representatives will return to the terminal at approximately 11 a.m.

To RSVP, please email Lt. Michael B. Allen at [email protected] and copy [email protected] by 1 p.m., June 10. Space is limited to the first eight respondents, with a maximum of two representatives per news outlet. For boarding, credentialed media members must present a government-issued photo ID, wear business casual attire with closed-toe shoes, and be physically able to climb a ladder due to the ship's historic design.

The Eagle, known as America’s Tall Ship, will visit Charleston from June 11-14 and will be moored at the Union Pier Cruise Ship Terminal across the street from the U.S. Custom House.

Free public tours will also be available on the following schedule:

(Note: All tour times are subject to change based on weather or operational needs.)

Eagle is a 295-foot sailing vessel that serves as a training platform for Coast Guard Academy cadets and officer candidates. As the only active square-rigged sailing ship in U.S. government service, the Eagle is both a national treasure and a symbol of leadership, seamanship, and service. Originally built in Germany and acquired by the United States following World War II, the Eagle has a rich history.

For more information and photos of the vessel, visit the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Eagle Page. To read the official press release detailing the ship’s 2026 deployment and participation in the nation’s 250^th anniversary, visit the U.S. Coast Guard News Portal. Additional event details and local media coordinators can be found at the Sail 2026 Information Hub.

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CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston County is ramping up mosquito control efforts and surveillance following the confirmed detection of West Nile virus, state and local officials announced.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health recently notified Charleston County Mosquito Control of the positive cases. In response, local crews are increasing truck-based treatments, expanding spraying around catch basins, and prioritizing areas with elevated mosquito activity or confirmed virus detections.

In confirmed West Nile zones, truck spraying will take place at least every 10 days. County officials are also coordinating targeted aerial spraying in high-risk areas and increasing surveillance.

“While West Nile virus is naturally present in our region, the number and location of detections can vary from year to year,” said Brian Hayes, Charleston County Mosquito Control manager. “Our mosquito surveillance program allows us to identify where disease is present and respond quickly with targeted treatment.”

Each week, crews deploy up to 30 traps across the county to monitor populations and test for West Nile, eastern equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis.

The virus cannot be passed from person to person, and the only way of contracting it is from the bite of an infected mosquito.

About 1 in 5 people infected with West Nile virus become ill within two to 14 days. Symptoms can include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, and occasionally nausea and vomiting. Infected individuals also often experience sensitivity to light, inflamed eyelids, or a rash.

State health officials recommend contacting a health care provider if you develop a fever or other symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito.

Officials urge residents to protect themselves by draining standing water sources, avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, wearing long sleeves and pants, maintaining door and window screens, and using EPA-registered insect repellent.