Author: Staff

South Carolina Brothers Plead Guilty to Counterfeiting Viagra Two brothers from Summerville, South Carolina, have admitted to their involvement in a large-scale counterfeit drug operation. Ibrahim Shedid, 29, and his older brother Ahmed Shedid, 35, faced a federal court on October 30, 2024, where they pleaded guilty to charges related to the trafficking of fake Viagra pills. The brothers reportedly ran a scheme that involved selling counterfeit pills, often referred to as the “little blue pill,” with a total value exceeding $35 million. Prosecutors claim that Ibrahim Shedid operated a business named Big Boss Puff Stuff, while Ahmed ran A2Z…

Jessie Adam Marshall, a sergeant with the Abbeville Police Department (APD), is under investigation after being dismissed from his position on October 19, 2024. His termination reportedly stemmed from “unprofessional behavior” rather than misconduct, as per documents from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA). Marshall was let go from his job, where he had worked for almost three years, according to human resources records provided by the town. While the specific reasons for his dismissal aren’t fully clear, an incident report from the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) indicates he was involved in a child custody dispute with his…

Law enforcement in South Carolina is urgently looking for an Alabama man suspected of murder. This search is tied to an incident from last month in the mountains of eastern Tennessee where he is also wanted for attempted murder and a parole violation. The situation began about two weeks ago when a distressed hiker made a 911 call on Friday, October 18, 2024. The call came from Monroe County, Tennessee, situated close to the Great Smoky Mountains. The caller, identifying himself as Brandon Andrade, claimed he had fallen off a cliff while trying to escape from a bear. In the…

Marvin Pendarvis Exits Candidacy for South Carolina House District 113 In a surprising turn, Marvin Pendarvis has officially withdrawn his candidacy for South Carolina House District 113. This decision comes after a series of serious allegations and a complex legal situation surrounding the former state representative. Earlier this year, Pendarvis faced a civil lawsuit, which claimed he mishandled a client’s case, signed their name without permission, and even attempted to bribe them after the allegations emerged. As a result, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has launched a criminal investigation into his actions. Despite this turmoil, Pendarvis resigned from…

The financial company overseeing the Direct Express prepaid debit card program, which distributes federal Social Security, disability, and veterans benefits, faces accusations of inadequately preventing fraud and failing to reimburse victims of fraudulent charges. Many sources indicate that the institution’s practices make it difficult for cardholders to recover lost funds. Even when individuals comply with the bank’s strict requirements, they often struggle to get refunds for compromised cards. This has led some beneficiaries to take legal action against the company in an effort to reclaim even a small portion of the funds that were stolen from them, leaving others without…

Nancy Mace: A Steadfast Political Force in South Carolina In the world of politics, some leaders find their way to power through easy paths, often supported by friendly constituencies or wealthy backers. Others, however, must work hard and fight through tough challenges to succeed. Congresswoman Nancy Mace from South Carolina is a prime example of the latter. Mace has consistently demonstrated her determination to rise through the political ranks in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina. After overcoming three GOP primary opponents in 2020, she claimed victory over Democratic incumbent Joe Cunningham in a narrow race. In 2022, her challenges…

Duke Energy is taking important steps in South Carolina as it faces an extraordinary increase in demand for electricity. This week, South Carolina senators have been actively working on plans to address these changes. The utility company is responding to this pressing need for energy with strategies that aim to ensure a reliable supply for residents and businesses. As demands for electricity grow, Duke Energy’s initiatives will likely play a crucial role in meeting the needs of the community effectively and sustainably.

The NukeGate saga is an expensive reminder of mishaps in South Carolina’s energy sector. This debacle originated in 2017 when two nuclear reactors intended for the V.C. Summer facility in Jenkinsville were abruptly abandoned, leaving many taxpayers and ratepayers in the lurch. Originally, these reactors were designed to generate 2,300 megawatts of energy. Instead, they resulted in a staggering $10 billion in losses, without producing a single watt. For South Carolinians, this has meant increased energy rates and ongoing debt. The collapse of this ambitious project has had lasting repercussions, particularly since the state was in dire need of new…

In recent events, the strife surrounding union strikes has raised concerns over their impact on the economy and local jobs. Harold Daggett, the chief negotiator for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), made a strong statement, declaring, “I will cripple you,” regarding potential strikes that could have halted significant segments of the U.S. economy. A prolonged strike could have led to thousands of job losses across South Carolina, a state in which its ports contribute a staggering $87 billion to the annual economy and support one in nine jobs. Interestingly, the wages from these port jobs are approximately 23% higher than…

The job market in America has been facing challenges lately, particularly impacting native-born workers. Recent trends show that foreign workers, including those entering the country without legal status, have significantly contributed to job growth. In the last six years, native-born workers have seen no net job growth at all—that’s right, absolutely none. Instead, it’s the undocumented workers who have filled many of these roles. According to research by labor market expert Steve Englander, around half of the job growth in the first half of fiscal year 2024 has come from undocumented immigrants, adding approximately 109,000 jobs every month. Recent reports…