DANGEROUS HEAT
We can expect One more day of dangerously high heat and humidity. Heat advisories are in effect for the midlands and the upstate, with extreme heat warnings in effect for the Lowcountry. South Carolina Emergency Information Network meteorologist Maxham says conditions will improve after today.
“A strong ridge of high pressure has been in place over the southeast, and we've had warming under that ridge as air sinks and compresses.” Maham says once this high shift west, afternoon storms will help to break up the heat, but this afternoon could feel over 105 in the upstate and 113 in the low country.
HARBISON STATE FOREST UPDATE
Harbison State Forest remained closed over the weekend, almost 2 weeks after a series of aggressive dog attacks. In a statement Friday, the forestry commission said the forest will remain closed until further notice. The Commission said more time is needed to establish that the threat posed by the remaining dog is significantly mitigated.
CONGRESSMAN RALPH NORMAN RUNNING FOR SC GOV.
US Congressman Ralph Norman formally announced his run for governor of South Carolina. Norman is the latest Republican to enter the race.
In the Upstate Sunday, Norman touted his similarities to President Donald Trump – both real estate developers who entered politics later in life – and stumped on a similar platform of government efficiency and infrastructure investment. The 72-year old said fixing the state’s roads and water systems would be his Day One priority.
SYNOVUS BANK MERGES WITH PENNACLE
Pinnacle Financial Partners and Synovus Financial Corporation announced the two are merging. The merger forms the 5th largest Southeast-based bank in the U.S., valued at $8.6 billion. The combined company will operate under the Pinnacle Financial Partners and Pinnacle Bank name and brand.
Synovus has a presence in almost half of South Carolina counties, with 33 locations in the state, including four in Sumter, Charleston and five in Columbia. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
Richland Co. Hate Crime Ordinance Arrest
The Richland County Sheriff's Department charged 33-year-old Jonathan Felkel with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; possession of a weapon during a violent crime; and violating the county's hate crime ordinance. Felkel is accused of firing a gun and making a derogatory statement toward a Black man who was jogging the morning of July 17 through the Spring Valley area.
South Carolina is one of two states that has not passed a hate crime law, but 20 municipalities across the state have including: Myrtle Beach, Lake City, Florence, Charleston and Georgetown. Last week, Orangeburg County moved one step closer to passing a hate crime ordinance; with a passing of the second reading of a proposed ordinance
SCAM WARNING
Georgetown County officials have put out a warning for residents about a circulating email scam from someone claiming to be from the Georgetown County Planning Department.
The email is being used to scam residents who are applying for property rezoning and the email that is associated with the scam is called planning.georgetowncounty.org@usa.com which is not an official county email address. The scam asks victims for a large sum of money for a property rezoning application fee to be wired transferred.
Officials say anyone who receives something claiming to be Georgetown County and is skeptical, should call the county office to verify.
