Tuesday headlines: "Cousin Arthur" Ravenel passes away at age 95

Arthur Ravenel Jr., the former congressman and state senator from Charleston County, died Monday at age 95.

Affectionately known as “Cousin Arthur” to most, Ravenel, who ended his decades-long political career serving on the Charleston County School Board in his 80s, was known for his good ol’ boy politics that disarmed people with clever stories while working behind the scenes to shape state and local policy.

The bridge over the Cooper River at U.S. Highway 17 is named for Ravenel, who helped to secure funding for it. The cable-stayed bridge, which colloquially is known as the Cooper River Bridge, opened in 2005.

Gov. Henry McMaster paid his respects on social media after the announcement of Ravenel’s death:

“Arthur Ravenel was a giant of a man. He loved and fought for everything that makes South Carolina great. His remarkable legacy will live on in our love for our people, our heritage and our blessings of nature. Peggy and I hold the Ravenel family in our hearts and prayers.”

From 1987 to 1995, Ravenel served in the U.S. Congress where he garnered a reputation for being a conservative conservationist. He also served in the S.C. House from 1953 to 1958 and in the S.C. Senate from 1981 to 1986 and then again from 1997 to 2003.

In other headlines:

Longtime College of Charleston Jewish Studies director passes away. Martin Perlmutter, the longtime director of the College of Charleston’s Jewish Studies Program who helped pioneer the school into a nationally recognized institution died at 79 due to cancer, according to his family.

College of Charleston men’s basketball jumps to No. 18 in AP poll. The College of Charleston moved up four spots to No. 18 in the latest AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll released Monday after winning their 17th straight game. Meanwhile, the Clemson Tigers broke into the AP list at No. 19.

Charleston tennis player wins first-round match in Australian Open. Charleston’s Shelby Rogers won her first-round match in the Australian Open, the first of many tennis events for 2023. Rogers defeated qualifier Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands by 6-4, 6-3.

Business groups say Mount Pleasant’s apartment limits encourages sprawl. Mount Pleasant leaders have proposed a plan to limit the number of apartments above businesses, a move that encourages urban sprawl by removing density in the area, real estate professionals and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce said. Meanwhile, the town of Mount Pleasant is looking into providing incentives for businesses to incorporate greener techniques in their designs to protect and preserve natural environments in the area.

Banana sculpture unveiled at Summerville park. The town council approved the installation of a 350-pound, 7-foot banana sculpture right outside the Saul Alexander Playground in Summerville.