Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A North Charleston resident shares environmental concerns as the neighborhood pond fills up with more than just water.

North Charleston resident Derek Norman says potential illegal oil dumping is plaguing a neighborhood pond that sits behind his home. Norman says he connected the dots to motor oil when he saw the shiny purple and green layer sitting over the water back in March.

“It has to be coming from the pipes; that means someone is putting it in one of the grates,” Norman says. “The grates that are on top of the pipes. The first one we looked at in this little garden at the end of the house is just soaked with oil on top.”

Oil dumping, including vehicle oils on the ground, in a septic tank or down a storm drain, is illegal for residents in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. The department says dumping used motor oil poses risks to the environment as it can impact the state’s lakes, rivers and groundwater.

Norman says the water has been treated after reaching out to neighborhood leaders and city officials. He says that only treatment is not enough to clean the pond.

“They can treat the pond all they want, but until you clean the pipes and you stop the actual cause of people dumping it, it’s not going to do anything,” Norman says. “It’s just treating what’s there and what you can see then and there.”

Norman urges people to dump oil legally to avoid similar pollution in other areas.

The department reports that there are over 900 collection sites across the state that recycle used oil to transform it into a valuable resource. The list includes participating auto retailers such as Advance Auto Parts and Auto Zone.

Collection sites also include county and municipal government programs. Charleston County Environmental Management Program Manager Christina Moskos says used oil can negatively impact Lowcountry waterways.

“Used oils are insoluble,” Moskos says. “They contain heavy metals, and these heavy metals can contaminate the water supply. They can lead to negative environmental impacts, they can threaten the ecosystem and eventually lead to a public health concern.”

Charleston County accepts motor oil and cooking oil from county residents at eight collection sites across the county. Residents can empty their material into containers at each site.

“We live in a coastal city,” Moskos says. “We’re so close to so much water, and we want to preserve those ecosystems and also preserve the health of our communities, so we want to make sure that used oils are disposed of properly so that there aren’t any health concerns that can arise from that.”

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Firecrackers will flash across Charleston's stunning skyline once again this year, offering yet another spectacular Fourth of July for the Lowcountry.

If you're looking for a special setting to embrace the patriotic holiday, consider watching the dazzling light shows aboard the flight desk of the USS Yorktown. This year's event will feature two separate stages with local bands, the opportunity to explore parts of the Yorktown museum and more fun family activities to honor the national holiday.

"Every adult hits that point where you think you've been to every kind of fireworks show," said Sam Elkin, Patriots Point's director of marketing and communication. "If you've seen one, you've seen them all, right? That is until they've seen this one — which is the most unique fireworks show in Charleston — with unmatched views and sightlines of multiple fireworks shows across Charleston harbor. It's truly something special."

If you're in Summerville, head to the Fireworks and Freedom Festival, where there will be glow sticks for the little ones and the shuttle buses running from behind town hall to Gahagan Park.

"It's really a great event for Summerville, as well as for those from Moncks Corner or North Charleston looking for something a little different from what they're used to," said Rigel Kocur, Summerville Parks and Recreation Department's marketing and events manager.

With so many captivating celebrations to choose from, we've got 14 hotspots for your Fourth of July festivities and fireworks.

Fireworks and Freedom Festival

What: Enjoy a curated fireworks display, tasty food trucks, inflatable obstacle courses and community fun hosted by the Summerville Parks and Recreation Department.

When: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Gahagan Park, 515 W. Boundary St., Summerville

Price: Free

Red, White and Palm

What: Get together at this pre-fireworks gathering and enjoy a live DJ, light bites, chilled cocktails and a stunning view of the fireworks over Charleston's skyline. Patriotic attire is encouraged.

When: 6-9 p.m.

Where: Little Palm, 237 Meeting St., Charleston

Price: Free

Fabulous Fourth in the Creek

What: Goose Creek hosts their annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks show, featuring live music, tasty food vendors and plenty of family-friendly activities to explore.

When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Goose Creek Municipal Center, 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd.

Price: Free

Fourth of July Fireworks Blast

What: Watch Charleston harbor light up with fireworks aboard the historic USS Yorktown with live music, tasty food vendors and unmatched views.

When: 7-10 p.m.

Where: USS Yorktown, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, 40 Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant

Price: $109

What: This annual parade which will march down Dunvegan Drive, turn left on Shadowmoss Parkway and travel around Muirfield before wrapping up at the starting line. Expect patriotic floats, some vintage cars and more.

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Shadowmoss Golf & Country Club, 21 Dunvegan Drive, Charleston

Price: Free

Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise

What: Board The Carolina Girl yacht for an exclusive night on Charleston harbor to view the annual fireworks shows, featuring a live DJ, light bites, an open bar and incredible views.

When: 8-11 p.m.

Where: St. Johns Yacht Harbor, 2408 Maybank Highway, Johns Island

Price: $170

July 4th Family Picnic and Fireworks

What: Bring out your family and friends for an outdoor picnic with fun games, live music and fireworks.

When: 6-9 p.m.

Where: Bay Creek Park, 3706 Dock Site Road, Edisto Island

Price: Free

4th of July Festival

What: Break out the lawn chairs for North Charleston's annual festival featuring a stunning fireworks show after dark and live music from Motown Throwdown alongside DJ Natty Heavy and DJ D-Nyce.

When: 5-9:30 p.m.

Where: Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave., North Charleston

Price: Free

4th of July Juke Joint Jam

What: Celebrate Independence Day with some Gullah Geechee food and culture alongside some groovin' funk by DJ Kwame Sha as well as Beth Inabinett & For the Funk of It Band. All proceeds support the Penn Center's heritage program.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle E., St. Helena Island

Price: $28

Isle of Palms Fourth of July Fireworks Show

What: Isle of Palms will host their annual fireworks show on the beach with incredible displays across the entirety of Charleston harbor.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Front Beach, 1118 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms

Price: Free

Independence Day Celebration

What: Celebrate Independence Day with a fun bike parade, cookout, live music, watermelon-eating contest, breakdancing and fireworks.

When: 5-9 p.m.

Where: Night Heron Park, 1 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island

Price: Free

Daniel Island Independence Day Celebration

What: Sign up for Daniel Island's golf cart parade, which begins at Bishop England High School and continues to Daniel Island School parking lot. A celebration will follow at Smythe Park with live DJs, dance performances, music from Wildflower Station and the East Coast Party Band.

When: 4-9 p.m. July 3

Price: Free

Sullivan's Island 4th of July Golf Cart Parade

What: Join in on the annual golf cart and bike parade, starting at the Sunrise Presbyterian Church and heading to Sullivan's Island Elementary School. Registered participants will be judged for most-festive golf cart at the finish line.

When: 8:30 a.m.

Price: Free

Sullivan's Island Independence Day Party

What: Following the annual parade, break out a lawn chair or picnic blanket and watch the fireworks fly over Sullivan's Island while listening to jams from the Shem Creek Boogie Band.

When: 6 p.m.

Where: J. Marshall Stith Park, 2058 Middle St., Sullivan's Island

Price: Free

The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will play a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at the North Charleston Coliseum this fall, multiple sources have confirmed to The Post and Courier.

The game has been set for Oct. 5 with the time for the tipoff to be determined.

The game is part of the Hornets' extended stay in the Lowcountry. Charlotte will hold part of its preseason training camp at The Citadel’s downtown campus from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.

Despite Charleston being more than 200 miles from the closest NFL, NBA or NHL franchise, the Hornets are one of several professional franchises that have come to the Holy City in recent years, not only for its history and food scene, but for practices and team bonding as well.

This is the fourth straight year The Citadel will host an NBA team as part of its preseason training camp at the downtown military school.

The Philadelphia 76ers (2022) and the New York Knicks (2023, 2024) worked out at The Citadel’s McAlister Field House in preparation for the regular season.

The NBA isn’t the only professional sports league to use Charleston as a training base.

The NHL’s St. Louis Blues worked at the Carolina Ice Palace and North Charleston Coliseum twice — once in 2013, then again in 2022.

In 2008, the Phoenix Coyotes, coached by Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, spent two days in the Lowcountry while Super Bowl XLII was being held in Arizona.

The Buffalo Sabres held their preseason camp in the Lowcountry in the early 2000s.

In the 1990s with Pat Riley as their head coach, the Knicks would come to the Lowcountry — practicing at College of Charleston — for part of their preseason camp.

Earlier this week, Gilgeous-Alexander agreed to a four-year, $285 million super maximum contract extension with Oklahoma City through the 2030-31 season, which is now the richest annual salary for a player in league history.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged a league-high 32.7 points during the regular season and 30.3 in the NBA Finals, joined an exclusive list of players to win the MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. The 26-year-old also became the first player to win a scoring title and NBA championship in the same season since O'Neal in 2000.

The Hornets' roster boasts two elite wing players in guard LaMelo Ball and forward Miles Bridges, who both averaged more than 20 points a game last season.

This isn’t the first time the Hornets have played an exhibition game at the coliseum.

In 2012, the then-Charlotte Bobcats faced the New Orleans Hornets — a game that featured No. 1 overall pick, and future NBA champion, Anthony Davis against Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the second pick in the draft.

In 2009, the Bobcats played the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose roster featured LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

A state-of-the-art facility that plays a central role in shaping America’s energy future.

The Dominion Energy Innovation Center (EIC) is strategically located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute’s (CURI) campus at the former U.S. Naval Base in North Charleston, South Carolina. Modeled after the success of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, the facility forges public/private partnerships in a unique industrial, port environment.

The EIC houses the Duke Energy eGRID — an electrical grid simulator that can simulate the electrical grid of any country in the world — and the world’s most-advanced wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility capable of full-scale, highly accelerated mechanical and electrical testing of advanced drivetrain systems for wind turbines. The two labs are linked and allow researchers to work on some of the technical challenges that need to be overcome to widen the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.

On Nov. 23, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded a $45 million grant – the largest single award in university history and the largest single grant by the U.S. DOE for wind power – to Clemson University. The purpose of the grant was to design, build and operate a facility capable of full-scale, highly accelerated testing of next-generation wind turbine drive-train technology.

The US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy objectives for the project are to:

The $98M facility, which includes $53M of private and state contributions, is strategically located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute’s (CURI) campus at the former U.S. Naval Base in North Charleston, South Carolina. Modeled after the success of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, the facility forges public/private partnerships in a unique industrial, port environment.

The world-class facility was named the SCE&G (now Dominion) Energy Innovation Center during a dedication ceremony in November 2013. The center houses the world’s most-advanced wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility capable of full-scale, highly accelerated mechanical and electrical testing of advanced drivetrain systems for wind turbines.

The Duke Energy eGRID — Electrical Grid Research Innovation and Development — Center is housed in the Dominion Energy Innovation Center. The 15-megawatt hardware-in-the-loop grid simulator supports education, research and economic development to speed new electrical technologies to market. The eGRID can simulate the electrical grid of any country in the world.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - If you love Fourth of July fireworks, several events across the Tri-County area will help you boost your patriotic pride.

Here are just a few of the events you and your family can enjoy:

Goose Creek: Fabulous Fourth in the Creek

The city of Goose Creek will welcome visitors to celebrate with its Fabulous Fourth in the Creek celebration.

The event will take place at the Goose Creek Municipal Center at 519 North Goose Creek Blvd., from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

It will showcase live music, food vendors and free activities for children, including balloon animals, bubbles, face painting and crafts.

Admission and parking is free. On-site parking will be available at the Recreation Complex and event parking fields. Accessible parking is available with a valid placard.

Golf cart transport is available once attendees have parked, but golf cart transport is not available after the event or in the dark.

Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged.

Shuttles will be running from Westview Elementary School and Westview Middle School, located at 100 Westview Blvd., starting at 5 p.m.

The walking path around the Municipal Pond will close at 7 a.m. on Friday.

The fireworks show is expected to begin at around 9 p.m.

Isle of Palms: 4th of July Fireworks Show

The city of Isle of Palms hosts its annual Independence Day show on Front Beach, at 1118 Ocean Blvd. It is free and open to the public.

Beachgoers are required to leave the beach and remove their belongings by 6:30 p.m. to allow preparation for the event. The area of the beach between 21st Avenue to Coconut Joe’s will close at that time.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Guests may remain inside the Isle of Palms County Park area or behind the public restroom facilities to watch the show.

Fireworks are not permitted in the City of Isle of Palms and must be operated by professionals only.

Click here, for more information.

Mount Pleasant: 4th of July Fireworks Blast

The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum hosts its annual Independence Day celebration, the 4th of July Fireworks Blast.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at the museum aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown for ticketed guests.

Tickets give access to the ship, live music, a view of the fireworks show over Charleston Harbor and family-friendly fun throughout the night.

Guests can purchase from a selection of food and drinks from Charleston vendors.

Fireworks are set to begin at around 9:30 p.m. or when it is dark.

The Yorktown will close at 10 p.m.

Click here to purchase tickets for the event.

Parking is available onsite at Patriots Point. Space is limited. Parking fees are not included in event tickets and must be paid separately through the Pay By Plate QR code system, based on posted rates. Only clear bags are allowed for safety purposes. Small non-clear clutches are permitted. Seating is limited. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and small tables. Bagged chairs must be removed from their bags before entry.

Coolers, outside food or beverages, and wagons are not permitted. Only strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on board.

North Charleston: 4th of July Festival

The city of North Charleston takes celebrating the Fourth of July seriously, touting its annual celebration as the Lowcountry’s largest fireworks display.

This year’s event will be held from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park. It will feature live music by Motown Throwdown and music from DJ Natty Heavy and DJ D-Nyce, all leading up to the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Numerous food vendors will be at the site.

No seating is provided, so visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, water and snacks.

Parking is free and visitors can enter from the north via Virginia Avenue or from the south by way of the Bainbridge Connector. Golf cart parking will be available. North Charleston officials recommend walking, biking, carpooling or ridesharing where available.

All bags will be searched. No grills, sparklers or outside fireworks will be allowed.

Sullivan’s Island: Fourth of July at Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island will kick off Independence Day with a golf cart and bike parade at 9 a.m., beginning at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and continuing to Sullivan’s Island Elementary School.

The parade route extends from Station 28 1/2 Street toward the beachfront and then right on Atlantic Avenue.

The town will then hold its Independence Day party at Stith Park, at 2056 Middle St., starting at 6 p.m. Visitors can bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy music provided by the Shem Creek Boogie Band.

Fireworks begin shortly after 9 p.m. Dogs are not allowed in the park and alcohol is prohibited.

Summerville: Fireworks & Freedom Festival

The town of Summerville will hold its annual Fireworks & Freedom Festival Friday night at Gahagan Park, located at 515 W. Boundary St.

The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Before the fireworks show, enjoy food trucks, vendors and other activities along the park. Shuttles will be available to take people to Gahagan Park from Hutchinson Square.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.