Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Keith Summey’s name will not be on the ballot for North Charleston mayor this November for the first time in nearly three decades.

Summey, 76, announced in March that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term.

“I’m just not in it this time,” he said. “I’m in a position where I know I’m leaving it better than I found it and in life that’s all we can ask for.”

When he came into office in 1994, Summey says North Charleston — which has become a major industrial and economic hub for South Carolina — was much different.

“A lot of turmoil was going on,” he recalled. “The [Navy] Base was closing, people thought we were going to lay down and die. Instead, we’ve grown.”

He faced tough challenges over the years from managing the city’s growth to the 2015 shooting of Walter Scott. But, Summey believes his greatest accomplishment was revamping the city’s image.

“The greatest accomplishment is probably that we’re not ignored anymore,” he shared. “We’re part of everything that’s a necessity for this area. North Charleston is looked up to today instead of down at. We didn’t have a lot of respect.”

During his tenure, Mayor Summey was instrumental in revitalizing the area surrounding the former Navy Base, attracting major corporations like Boeing and Roper St. Francis Hospital, and building new parks, playgrounds, and community resources to support the growing population.

“I can say we’ve had more successes than we’ve had disappointments, but if you don’t try things, you don’t get anywhere,” he said.

But not all of those efforts were met with open arms, Summey remembers. He faced criticism throughout his career with some accusing him of failing to adequately address issues like affordable housing, crime, and food deserts.

“When I first was elected to public office I used to get so upset if somebody disagreed with what I was doing and I’ve had to learn not to have such soft skin,” he said.

The mayor also recalled how some of his more progressive decisions, like supporting a city-wide LGBTQ+ pride festival, elicited mixed feedback from the community and other elected officials.

“I represent every citizen of the city of North Charleston, not just the ones that vote for me, not just the ones I agree with in lifestyle or anything else. I have to live with the decisions that I make and I have to know in my heart that I’ve done what I think is best for the community.”

Summey knows it is time for new leadership in the city, vowing to support whoever is elected to replace him, and offering himself as a resource.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” he said. “I wish we could’ve accomplished even more. I love my city enough that I want to see it continue to flourish and I want it to be a place that my kids, and grandkids, and great-grandkids will want to say ‘This is home.'”

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will meet voters this Thursday during a presidential campaign stop.

Haley will host a meet-and-greet event at Holy City Brewery to meet with supporters.

The brewery is located at 1021 Aragon Ave. and those who attend will meet her in the brewery’s porter room.

The event is free, but registration is required.

Click here to register at the campaign stop’s Eventbrite page.

The meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

NORTH CHARLESTON — As dusk fell the Saturday before Halloween, a coven of witches paraded through Park Circle, donning conical black hats and dark-colored clothing.

Instead of casting mischievous spells, this group of friendly witches passed out candy to children in the neighborhood.

Known as the Park Circle Witches Ride, this annual Halloween event focused on bringing the community together for an entertaining evening while supporting a cause. Each year, the event raises money for the Carolina Youth Development Center, an organization that supports foster children.

The event raised $900 this year, bringing the total to $6,000 since the witches ride started five years ago.

Cruising through Oak Terrace Preserve and nearby neighborhoods, the group of 30 witches rode bicycles decorated as broomsticks and golf carts with string lights, shouting “Happy Halloween” as they passed out candy to children standing outside their homes.

Some golf carts had skeletons as passengers, and there was even a headless horseman riding a bike with a plastic pumpkin mask over his face.

Sarah Cross, an Oak Terrace Preserve resident, drove a festive golf cart with purple Halloween-themed garland and pumpkin decorations during her third witches ride. She continues to be involved in the event each year because it’s a form of outreach in the community across various neighborhoods.

“We love to do anything that’s going to bring the kids out,” said Cross.

Laura Kate Whitney, a Park Circle resident who started the witches ride five years ago, had seen similar events in other cities and wanted to emulate the experience for her neighbors.

“It’s really an opportunity to bring community together in a really fun way and to do something like that, there had to be a beneficiary,” said Whitney.

Since CYDC’s North Charleston campus is close to her neighborhood, she used the witches ride as an opportunity to bring awareness to the organization. The witches were encouraged to raise money for the nonprofit, but it wasn’t a requirement to participate.

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One aspect of CYDC’s services includes residential group homes in North Charleston and Berkeley County where children stay if they are in need of a safe place to live. The North Charleston campus was the first stop of the witches ride to ensure the children at the CYDC home received candy.

Another facet of the organization is to provide preventative services for families in crisis, such as the Strengthening Families program where a family success coach works with parents and children to help stabilize the family, said Joseph Mooradian, the director of development at CYDC.

“We’re really looking in the future at adopting more of a preventative method of community-based intervention, making sure that we get the families in crisis before the kid is taken out of the home,” said Mooradian.

Over the last several years, Whitney said the witches ride has become a tradition for families in the neighborhood. She said one mother told her that her elementary-aged daughter looks forward to making her broom and costume for the event each year.

While Whitney has goals of continuing to grow the witches ride, she wants to make sure it’s as easy as possible for participants to be involved.

“My only hope is that we successfully raised money and people had fun, and I think we’ve been able to achieve that over the last couple of years,” said Whitney.

Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday.

Residents of a North Charleston community worry about how nearby construction and tree-cutting projects will impact nearby homes and businesses.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Frequent travelers on I-26 may be noticing a few changes as workers are clearing out trees to make room for the Palmetto Commerce Interchange Project.

Charleston County leaders say the goal would be to mitigate traffic and commute times by building an interchange between Ashley Phosphate Road and University Boulevard.

Several North Charleston homeowners say it has made their daily routines unbearable.

“They took away what little foliage we have, they’ve got to do something. This is just insulting to say this is fine,” neighbor Steve Miller says.

Miller, like many in the neighborhoods lining I-26, has lived in the area with his wife for decades.

Homeowners say the neighborhood has become a safe space for those aging in place.

“I’m getting near retirement. The idea of having to move to get away from this. I shouldn’t have to,” Miller says.

The group has been pushing for noise barriers for decades. Homeowners worry how direct exposure to the interstate could impact nearby families in the long term.

“Road noise is one of the most debilitating things that can happen to a person who is resting, our just sitting around enjoying their backyard or back porch,” North Charleston City Councilmember and neighbor Virginia Jamison says.

“As they build this ramp up, it’s going to elevate the trucks going up there, diesel fumes,” North Charleston homeowner Bill Knippenberg says. “It’s going to envelop all those houses.”

Neighbors say with the hard work they have done to afford their “forever homes,” it is not easy to get up and leave.

“I’m asking myself, where would I go?” Jamison says. “What would I do if I didn’t have this comfort spot?”

The group says they have been in communication with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and local officials in attempts to achieve a barrier of any kind.

Charleston County released a statement on the project itself, claiming they will be planning public meetings to provide updates and answer questions in the next coming months.

The Palmetto Commerce Interchange Project began construction in August of 2023 and the goal is to be done by early 2026.

Click here for more information on the project.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Can't start the morning/afternoon/life without a large cup of caffeine? Try one of these local coffee purveyors for a fix. Whether it's free wifi or a cozy atmosphere, there's a place for each need.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

A savior for the citizens of Park Circle, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse supplies caffeine to North Charleston. The setting recently expanded with a new address but maintains the same cozy atmosphere. Try the cha yen, a traditional Thai iced tea.

Not only does Owlbear make an excellent cold brew or a pumpkin spice latte (if you’re into that), but this cafe puts out filling bagel sandwiches, waffles, and fancy grilled cheeses.

The Harbinger is a whimsical space full of plants, Instagram-worthy shelves full of treasures, and cozy seating. The coffee drinks are creative, like the maple latte or the Jack Rudy espresso tonic, but do not miss the baked goods — customers are instantly hooked on creations like a take on Rice Krispy Treats with puffed brown rice, tahini, and chocolate. Check out the sister cafe Harken when visiting the heart of downtown.

In addition to expertly prepared espresso drinks, Mercantile offers free wifi, plentiful seating, and a full breakfast and lunch menu — what’s not to love. Oh, and parking. Sold.

The Daily is the place to go for a morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich or an afternoon lunch to-go — and it has recently expanded to a second larger space on Morrison Drive. Try the golden latte with turmeric-agave syrup and the fall vegetable hash.

Sightsee is a fun, hip shop with a side of coffee bar. Tucked back on Line Street, the space offers coffee to go for those exploring the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. Try the unique iced cascara tea, which is brewed from the coffee cherry.

Vintage Coffee Cafe offers caffeine, eats, and wifi to the Mount Pleasant set. The kitchen puts out sophisticated breakfast items, like seasonal quiches, oven-roasted tomato tarts, acai bowls, and lox plates, among others.

The pick-up window at Brown Fox Coffee makes it a quick and easy stop to grab a morning latte or a cold brew on the way to the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

Kudu not only has a handsome outdoor patio, but an extensive coffee and craft beer program as well. It doesn't offer wifi, so this shop is for relaxation, not work.

Highfalutin Coffee Roasters really cares about its beans. Roasted in-house, the coffee at this Avondale shop is routinely touted as some of the best by local aficionados — don’t ask for a pumpkin spice latte here.

Petite shop the Rise attracts those in search of a perfect cortado or a honey lavender latte. The space is small, so most customers get their coffee to-go.

Since its located on the Market in the Emeline hotel, Clerks Coffee Company is always buzzing with visitors, but this shouldn’t deter locals. The seating area at Clerks makes for a handsome background to sip a latte and get some work done. After the laptops close, the coffee bar offers beer and wine in addition to slices of Detroit-style pizza and salads.

Sunlight-filled caffeine emporium Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap Coffee) is the spot to get creative lattes (try the brown sugar or lavender) and kick-ass pour-over brew. It is also the meeting spot for creatives and neighborhood friends to chat about the day or upcoming projects. Check out the Second State in Mount Pleasant for a full menu of hearty breakfast and lunch options.

Entrepreneur Amy Wright has four children, and two, Bitty & Beau, were born with Down syndrome. Wright saw an opportunity to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in finding steady jobs. Her coffee shops Betty & Beau are staffed with a very enthusiastic crew that live with issues like autism and cerebral palsy. Stop in for a cup of joy in the morning.

Muddy Waters is an old-school coffee shop on James Island. Around since 2001, it’s a reliable spot for a latte, a macaron, and a quiet place to sit and read a book.

A savior for the citizens of Park Circle, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse supplies caffeine to North Charleston. The setting recently expanded with a new address but maintains the same cozy atmosphere. Try the cha yen, a traditional Thai iced tea.

Not only does Owlbear make an excellent cold brew or a pumpkin spice latte (if you’re into that), but this cafe puts out filling bagel sandwiches, waffles, and fancy grilled cheeses.

The Harbinger is a whimsical space full of plants, Instagram-worthy shelves full of treasures, and cozy seating. The coffee drinks are creative, like the maple latte or the Jack Rudy espresso tonic, but do not miss the baked goods — customers are instantly hooked on creations like a take on Rice Krispy Treats with puffed brown rice, tahini, and chocolate. Check out the sister cafe Harken when visiting the heart of downtown.

In addition to expertly prepared espresso drinks, Mercantile offers free wifi, plentiful seating, and a full breakfast and lunch menu — what’s not to love. Oh, and parking. Sold.

The Daily is the place to go for a morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich or an afternoon lunch to-go — and it has recently expanded to a second larger space on Morrison Drive. Try the golden latte with turmeric-agave syrup and the fall vegetable hash.

Sightsee is a fun, hip shop with a side of coffee bar. Tucked back on Line Street, the space offers coffee to go for those exploring the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. Try the unique iced cascara tea, which is brewed from the coffee cherry.

Vintage Coffee Cafe offers caffeine, eats, and wifi to the Mount Pleasant set. The kitchen puts out sophisticated breakfast items, like seasonal quiches, oven-roasted tomato tarts, acai bowls, and lox plates, among others.

The pick-up window at Brown Fox Coffee makes it a quick and easy stop to grab a morning latte or a cold brew on the way to the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

Kudu not only has a handsome outdoor patio, but an extensive coffee and craft beer program as well. It doesn't offer wifi, so this shop is for relaxation, not work.

Highfalutin Coffee Roasters really cares about its beans. Roasted in-house, the coffee at this Avondale shop is routinely touted as some of the best by local aficionados — don’t ask for a pumpkin spice latte here.

Petite shop the Rise attracts those in search of a perfect cortado or a honey lavender latte. The space is small, so most customers get their coffee to-go.

Since its located on the Market in the Emeline hotel, Clerks Coffee Company is always buzzing with visitors, but this shouldn’t deter locals. The seating area at Clerks makes for a handsome background to sip a latte and get some work done. After the laptops close, the coffee bar offers beer and wine in addition to slices of Detroit-style pizza and salads.

Sunlight-filled caffeine emporium Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap Coffee) is the spot to get creative lattes (try the brown sugar or lavender) and kick-ass pour-over brew. It is also the meeting spot for creatives and neighborhood friends to chat about the day or upcoming projects. Check out the Second State in Mount Pleasant for a full menu of hearty breakfast and lunch options.

Entrepreneur Amy Wright has four children, and two, Bitty & Beau, were born with Down syndrome. Wright saw an opportunity to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in finding steady jobs. Her coffee shops Betty & Beau are staffed with a very enthusiastic crew that live with issues like autism and cerebral palsy. Stop in for a cup of joy in the morning.

Muddy Waters is an old-school coffee shop on James Island. Around since 2001, it’s a reliable spot for a latte, a macaron, and a quiet place to sit and read a book.