South-Carolina
Community gathers to honor veterans at Gen. Francis Marion’s gravesite
PINEVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – The Berkeley 250 Francis Marion Commission and the South Carolina State Guard joined other local organizations to honor veterans at the gravesite of General Francis Marion ahead of Veterans Day.
The ceremony brought together veterans, active service members and their families at the Revolutionary War hero’s burial site.
“I served with a lot of good guys who some didn’t return, some did, but they all served with honor,” veteran Ed McCants said.
Maj. Gen. Commander Leon Lott of the South Carolina State Guard said the event highlighted the importance of remembering true heroes.
“Very important that we never forget the real heroes that we’ve got. Not a sports figure, but someone who put a uniform on, a different type of uniform that was willing to sacrifice his life,” Lott said.
The ceremony included military traditions such as the Posting of the Colors and the National Anthem to remember those who served before.
“This is someone who’s a true American patriot and a hero for South Carolina and for the United States, and we’re free today because of someone like General Francis Marion,” Lott said.
McCants emphasized the importance of recognizing those who went beyond their call of duty.
“There are many of those who serve and did more than was asked of them. And I think those people need to be recognized and those people need to be honored,” McCants said.
“If you don’t remember your past, you won’t have a future,” Lott said.
The ceremony also served as a reminder of what it means to be a veteran.
“Somebody who is willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary for the duty he was in charge to perform,” McCants said.
“You never stop serving. Once you put this uniform on, you really never take it off. You always have it on. It may not be visible, but you have it on inside your heart,” Lott said.
And it showed why it’s important to honor what our flag stands for.
“Have a duty and obligation to keep our country free,” McCants said.
The South Carolina State Guard is also assisting food banks across the state in response to the ongoing government shutdown, making sure families don’t go hungry.
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An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
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