MORNING HEADLINES | South Carolina seems to have become a wild kingdom of late.
Last week came word of 43 rhesus macaque monkeys escaping from a research facility in Yemassee. The breakout made international headlines. So far, 32 have returned as the remaining monkeys skitter nearby as professionals try to lure them back with food.
Next comes the story that residents of Loris and Green Sea just outside of Myrtle Beach have been sharing photos of an emu running wild around the area. According to a Facebook post, the emu has been living on its own since the beginning of the summer after escaping an enclosure. Local police and the owner reportedly are working together to safely secure the emu.
“First monkeys and now an emu!” Greg Lucas, a spokesman with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, said in a text to The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News. “S.C. may be the new Florida!”
But headlines get even weirder, as a hunter claimed to have spotted Bigfoot in the Midlands near Pomaria on Nov. 2. The hunter, a hunter identified only as “J.M.,” reported sighting a 7-foot-tall creature with “long brown hair, ape-like face and long arms,” according to a media report.
“We watched each other for probably 30 seconds but felt like forever before it turned and walked off,” said J.M.’s report on a Bigfoot website. “I’m a police officer and had no clue what to make of it. At this point, as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I am convinced it was a bigfoot.”
There have been dozens of Bigfoot sightings in South Carolina through the years, including four in Oconee County where the annual S.C. Bigfoot Festival takes place each fall, according to this story.
In other news:
CP ART: Kulture Klash returns to North Charleston Nov. 16. Kulture Klash, an eclectic celebration of the arts in Charleston, is back for its ninth edition on Nov. 16. This year’s edition of this one-day arts festival, originally founded in Charleston in 2007, takes over a brand-new arts venue located in North Charleston’s Navy Yard, Building64.
Flood-prone part of West Ashley could become a passive park instead of housing. With help from the county, Charleston is moving forward with buying flood-prone property in the far reaches of West Ashley with the vision of creating a park that connects neighborhoods and existing greenspace instead of housing developments.
Folly Beach city council discusses amendments to short term rental ordinance. After a short-term rental cap was put in place last year, council members wanted to clarify language within the ordinance. Officials said although there won’t be any significant changes, one that stands out could be the discussion of the consequences by turning in business licenses late.
Several greenbelt projects approved by Charleston Co. Council. Charleston County leaders approved 18 greenbelt projects at Tuesday night’s county council meeting. Of the 18 greenbelt projects, one of them caused discussion amongst county leaders at the finance committee meeting last week, but received final approval last night.
Meet Ed Sutton, Charleston’s newest state senator. Democratic candidate Ed Sutton defeated Libertarian Kendal Ludden in the newly drawn District 20 during the Nov. 5 election, garnering 73% of the vote to Ludden’s 26%.
Supporters of Mark Clark extension believe failure was due to tax. Supporters of the Mark Clark extension insist voters were not rejecting the plan to stretch Interstate 526 across Johns and James islands. They contend it was the tax to pay for the $2.33 billion parkway.
High Water Festival announces 2025 lineup. The two-day music festival at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park is set for April 26-27, and it will be the first year local duo Shovels & Rope is not involved in the curation.
Stewart to stop in Charleston for 100th book release. American icon Martha Stewart will take center stage at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Charleston Gaillard Center to discuss her 100th book, “Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen.”
Early voting opens today for IOP runoff election. Early voting is open Wednesday, November 13 through Friday, November 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Charleston County Board of Elections headquarters in North Charleston.
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