COLUMBIA, S.C. — A lack of affordable and accessible childcare is a leading cause for many young parents to leave the workforce.

A recent report found childcare for the average American family costs more than the average rent in all 50 states — if parents can find it at all.

In light of these challenges, South Carolina is considering a potential plan to offer on-site childcare services to some state workers, which the Department of Social Services said, to its knowledge, would be a first for state government.

“I think it’s important we recognize just how important childcare and access to childcare is, especially for state employees, and I should add, affordable childcare,” Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D – Orangeburg, said.

This idea is part of a future move of a handful of state agencies’ headquarters out of Columbia to a new, joint campus in Cayce.

Cobb-Hunter proposed that, as part of that move, the state should consider offering on-site childcare services to the employees working there, an idea now being explored.

“Childcare is a barrier to the workforce, and we do know more than 15% of unemployed women can’t work because of a lack of childcare,” Bett Williams with Children’s Trust of South Carolina said.

The South Carolina Department of Administration said it has identified an area on the new campus where a childcare center could be located, and it is in the process of surveying how much interest there would be for this service among employees.

Studies have found access to childcare can increase worker productivity — in this case, for positions that keep the state operating.

“It helps keep government running,” Cobb-Hunter said.

“It’s not just a family problem,” Williams added. “This is a problem for communities, this is a problem for businesses, and the greater opportunities and the greater access that we could have for childcare, everyone in South Carolina will benefit.”

Cobb-Hunter said she also believes this could make the thousands of currently unfilled state jobs more attractive to potential employees, which could then spur similar investments in the private sector as those companies compete for those same workers.

“And we would be saying to the private sector, ‘Look at the leadership state government is providing. Why don’t you join us in this endeavor?’” Cobb-Hunter said.

She added questions about how much, if anything, these services would cost and which state employees would be eligible to participate would be figured out later, if this idea does come to fruition.

The Joint Bond Review Committee, a powerful state legislative panel, took an important step Tuesday to allow the Department of Administration to keep exploring not only this idea but also the much larger project of moving the state health agencies to this new campus and potentially finding new homes for other departments.

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Colleton County woman ran nonprofit “rescue …”

A South Carolina magistrate judge sentenced a Summerville woman to ten days behind bars on animal neglect charges in a case involving the horrific treatment of animals by a woman purporting to run a rescue sanctuary.

Kimberly Brianne Couture, 42, was sentenced by magistrate judge Elbert O. Duffie after she pleaded guilty last month to 39 counts of failing to provide care to animals and one count of failing to properly dispose of a deceased animal. Couture’s plea followed several hours of testimony by veterinarians, animal control officers, a shelter volunteer and a horse rescue representative.

Duffie sentenced Couture to ten days in jail for one of the horses, ten days in jail for one of the dogs and a day in jail per animal for the remaining 37 animal charges – with these sentences running concurrently. He also imposed a $200 fine for the improper burial or disposal of a dead animal.

Acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, on May 26, 2022 Colleton County officials obtained and executed a search warrant on a property rented by Couture on Running Creek Lane in Cottageville, S.C. This property was leased by Couture as a sanctuary for an animal rescue nonprofit, “Healing Hearts from Sole to Soul.”

When officers arrived on the property, they found numerous animals in deplorable conditions.

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“Many of the animals were in very poor body condition and most were living in poor conditions, including piles of old feces, dirty water and little to no shelter for the dogs,” a release from Colleton County’s animal services division noted. “Additionally, the remains of at least two animals were found at the fence line of a neighboring property covered with used cat litter and other refuse.”

Animal control officials took custody of 61 animals including 20 goats, 15 dogs, 13 cats, six horses, one calf and two chickens.

Colleton animal services director Laura Clark praised the efforts of her staff and volunteers who “worked several hours per day for weeks to feed and provide medical care and improve the living conditions for the animals until they could all be removed and new homes could be found.”

As for the sentence, she said it sent a “strong message that failure to follow the state laws and county ordinances in Colleton County will result in consequences.”

This media outlet has broken several animal neglect and cruelty cases recently. Anyone with information on similar cases is urged to reach out to us in addition to contacting local law enforcement or their local animal control office.

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THE PRESS RELEASE…

(Colleton County)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Jenn Wood is FITSNews’ incomparable research director. She’s also the producer of the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts and leading expert on all things Murdaugh/ South Carolina justice. A former private investigator with a criminal justice degree, evildoers beware, Jenn Wood is far from your average journalist! A deep dive researcher with a passion for truth and a heart for victims, this mom of two is pretty much a superhero in FITSNews country. Did we mention she’s married to a rocket scientist? (Lucky guy!) Got a story idea or a tip for Jenn? Email her at jenn@fitsnews.com.

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A South Carolina native himself, LaNorris Sellers is next in line to become THE quarterback for the Gamecocks. Get to know this potential star.

Going into the 2024 campaign, Shane Beamer and company will be looking to replace fifth-round NFL draftee quarterback Spencer Rattler. LaNorris Sellers appears to be the heir-apparent to the role after a strong Spring Practice Period.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, sophomore LaNorris Sellers boasts a sturdy frame for the quarterback position. He has the arm strength to make 60+ yard throws through the air and puts a noticeable zip on the ball on short to mid-range throws. According to On3 (2023), “LaNorris Sellers’ athleticism, rushing ability and upside as a passer remind us of Jalen Hurts. Sellers may have a stronger arm and is bigger than Hurts at the same stage” (para. 1). This kind of comparison to a former CFB star should have Gamecock fans excited about their future at quarterback.

As a senior in high school, Sellers led South Florence High School out of Florence, South Carolina to their first state championship. In the championship game, Sellers went 10-for-14 and 260 yards with five touchdowns through the air while tacking on another 192 yards and one score on the ground. This stellar performance capped a sensational senior season that had Sellers pass for nearly 3,000 yards and 45 touchdowns with another 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing.

In his first year as a Gamecock, Sellers had very little run as a true freshman. Sellers was a backup to now NFL quarterback Spencer Rattler but showed flashes of his upside in the little action he saw. In mop-up duty against Furman in 2023, Sellers went 4-for-4 passing with 86 yards for 2 touchdowns including a 50-yard touchdown pass to Tyshawn Russell. Sellers also had an electric 36-yard touchdown against Vanderbilt later on in the season.

In the 2024 Spring game, Sellers controlled the offense early and often leading his team to back-to-back scoring drives while going 9-of-11 passing for 70 yards through the air and rushing 5 times for 38 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The flashes Sellers has shown in his limited time in college should give Gamecock fans plenty of confidence in their new signal caller.

Off the field, South Florence High School reported that Sellers graduated with a final GPA of 4.95. Sellers seems to truly embody what it means to be a true student-athlete.

If his past performances are any indication, South Carolina may have something special in their next starting quarterback in LaNorris Sellers. Gamecock fans should be on high alert come fall.