YOUR TIME IS 645. IT’S TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE’VE GOT A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START WITH A SEARCH FOR A MISSING TEENAGER IN GREENVILLE COUNTY. DEPUTIES SAY SPENCER BUTLER AVERY RAN AWAY FROM BROOM STRAW COURT IN GREER JUST AFTER 11:00 LAST NIGHT. HE’S THOUGHT TO HAVE LEFT THE AREA ON FOOT. YOU CAN SEE HIM IN THIS PHOTO RIGHT HERE ON YOUR SCREEN. HE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A RED LONG SLEEVE SHIRT. HE’S ABOUT 511, 240 POUNDS. IF YOU SEE HIM, CALL NINE ONE. ONE MAN IS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER BEING SHOT IN GREENWOOD. EXCLUSIVE SKY4 VIDEO NOW OF THE AREA OF EAST CRESWELL AVENUE AND MCLEAN AVENUE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. POLICE SAY IT APPEARS THE SHOOTING WAS A TARGETED ATTACK. THEY’RE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CONTACT THE GREENWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ON GREENVILLE. AT LEAST ONE PERSON WAS HURT AFTER A VEHICLE OVERTURNED. WE DO WANT TO WARN YOU THIS VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS. POLICE WERE CALLED TO A CRASH ON SHAW STREET YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THIS VIDEO, SHARED WITH WYFF NEWS 4, SHOWS A CAR LOSING CONTROL BEFORE IMPACT IN THE AFTERMATH. VIDEO SHOWS A MANGLED CAR. TROOPERS SAY A SEDAN OVERTURNED WHILE TAKING A SHARP TURN. THEY SAY ONE PERSON WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. RIGHT NOW THEIR CONDITION IS UNKNOWN. ALSO RIGHT NOW, FIREFIGHTERS ARE WORKING TO CONTAIN A WILDFIRE IN THE PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST NEAR THE LOOKING GLASS ROCK TRAIL. AS OF 9:00 LAST NIGHT, THE FIRE WAS 15% CONTAINED. IT GREW FROM 5 TO 30 ACRES YESTERDAY. THE LOOKING GLASS ROCK TRAIL AND SOME FOREST SERVICE ROADS IN THE AREA ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. THE NORTH CAROLINA FOREST SERVICE SAYS DRIVERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 276 BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE. NORTH CAROLINA DOES HAVE AN ACTIVE BURN BAN IN PLACE RIGHT NOW. MEANWHILE, PLACES TO SMOKE MIGHT BECOME MORE LIMITED IN NORTH MYRTLE BEACH. THIS WEEK, THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED THE FIRST READING OF A BEACH SMOKING BAN. THE COUNCIL WOULD NEED TO TAKE ANOTHER VOTE TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL. THE CURRENT ORDINANCES PROHIBIT SMOKING IN ENCLOSED PUBLIC SPACES, PLACES OF WORK AND CERTAIN OUTDOOR SPACES. BEACH AREAS AREN’T INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT LAW. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD MEAN PEOPLE COULD NO LONGER SMOKE ON THE BEACH OR PUBLIC BEACH. ACCESS POINTS, WALK OVERS AND DUNE CROSSOVERS, AND THAT BAN WOULD ALSO INCLUDE USING E-CIGARETTES. THE CITY SAYS IT COMES FOLLOWING CONCERNS WITH SECONDHAND SMOKING AND LITTER. THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY VISITED WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOR A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT RECOVERY EFFORTS AFTER HURRICANE HELENE. IN HIS VISIT TO LAKE LURE AND CHIMNEY, ROCK, SECRETARY MULLIN VOWED TO TAKE SUGGESTIONS TO THE OVAL OFFICE AND COME BACK WITH SOLUTIONS. $5.3 BILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE STATE FOR STORM RELIEF, BUT A PROLONGED GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HAS PAUSED FUNDING FOR DHS AND THEREFORE FEMA, LEAVING ROUGHLY 2000 PROJECTS IN LIMBO. 18 MONTHS AFTER HELENE. EACH SWING AT THE MASTERS IS HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES IN GREENWOOD COUNTY, COUNTY LEADERS PROJECT A $1 MILLION BOOST IN THE ECONOMY. FROM JUST THIS WEEK ALONE. SPORTS BREAK IS A WELL KNOWN BAR AND RESTAURANT THAT’S BEEN SERVING THE GREENWOOD COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL MANAGER, THE BUSINESS WILL SEE A 20% INCREASE IN REVENUE THIS WEEK. WE’VE GOT A LOT OF LONGEVITY, SO THERE’S A LOT OF THE STAFF THAT WILL SEE CUSTOMERS THAT THEY SAW LAST YEAR, THE YEAR BEFORE, AND SOME OF THEM ARE LIKE FAMILY AT THIS POINT. RESTAURANT STAFF SAY WHEN PATRONS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE MASTERS IN 2020, THE BUSINESS FELT IT FINANCIALLY. AND PROJECT COMMUNITY. A RIBBON CUTTING TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF THE LATE MARY DUCKETT. SHE WAS KNOWN AFFECTIONATELY AS THE MAYOR OF SOUTHERN SIDE AND DECIDED DEDICATED YEARS TO ACTIVISM FOR EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THE MARY FRANCES DUCKETT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER WILL OFFER SPACES TO MEET MULTI-PURPOSE ROOMS AND A KITCHEN FOR COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAMING. I FEEL LIKE HER LOVE AND HER HUG HAS BECOME ESSENTIALLY ETERNAL IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, A PLACE THAT SHE CARED ABOUT. I THINK EVERY TIME LITTLE KIDS COME IN HERE AND THERE’S SUPPORT FOR THEM AND PROTECTION FOR THEM, THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF MARY DUCKETT THAT GOES WITH IT. MARY DUCKETT DIED IN NOVEMBER. THEN IN MARCH, GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CENTER NAMING AT ITS FORMAL MEETING. NASA IS RELEASING NEW PHOTOS OF THE EARTH AND MOON TAKEN BY THE ARTEMIS TWO CREW. THE IMAGES WERE CAPTURED DURING MONDAY’S RECORD BREAKING LUNAR FLYBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA. NASA SAID THE ARTEMIS TWO CREW HAS PROPOSED NAMES FOR THE TWO CRATERS IN THE BASIN, AND THEY WANT TO NAME ONE AFTER THE NAME THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THEIR CAPSULE INTEGRITY, THE OTHER CARROLL, IN HONOR OF THE LATE WIFE OF MISSION COMMANDER JAMYA WISEMAN. TODAY, THE CREW WILL ASSESS THEIR ABILITY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM HIGH RADIATION EVENTS LIKE SOLAR FLARES. THEN THEY’LL TRY OUT ORION’S MANUAL PILOTING CAPABILITY BY STEERING THE SPACECRAFT THROUGH A VARIETY OF TASKS. ARTEMIS CREW WILL SPLASHDOWN OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA AROUND 8:00 FRIDAY NIGHT. DELTA AIRLINES PASSENGERS ARE ABOUT TO SEE AN INCREASE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES. THE AIRLINE ANNOUNCED IT WILL RAISE FEES FOR FIRST AND SECOND BAGS BY $10 AND $50 FOR THE THIRD ON DOMESTIC AND SHORT HAUL INTERNATIONAL ROUTES. THE NEW PRICE GOES INTO EFFECT ON ANY TICKETS PURCHASED FROM TODAY FORWARD, AND IT’S THE FIRST BAGGAGE FEE INCREASE FOR DELTA IN TWO YEARS, JUST HOURS BEFORE HIS DEADLINE WAS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT TUESDAY, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS AGREED TO A TWO WEEK CEASEFIRE WITH IRAN. THE PRESIDENT WRITING ON SOCIAL MEDIA BOMBING AND ATTACKS ON IRAN WOULD END ON THE CONDITION THE COUNTRY REOPENS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ. IRAN SAYS IT WILL ALLOW SAFE PASSAGE OF MARINE PASSAGE THROUGH THE STRAIT, AS LONG AS IT IS NOT ATTACKED. EARLIER TUESDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD THREATENED MASSIVE U.S. ATTACKS ON IRANIAN CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE. MEANWHILE, AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST IS FREE AFTER SHE WAS ABDUCTED BY A MILITANT GROUP IN IRAQ. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, WRITING ON SOCIAL MEDIA LAST NIGHT, SHELLY KITTLESON WAS RELEASED AFTER SHE WAS KIDNAPED IN BAGHDAD LAST WEEK, IRAN BACKED IRAQI MILITIA GROUP KATAEB HEZBOLLAH SAID THAT IT WOULD BE RELEASED OR SHE WOULD BE RELEASED, ON THE CONDITION THAT SHE LEAVE THE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY. SECRETARY RUBIO SAID THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS NOW WORKING TO SUPPORT SAFE DEPARTURE FROM IRAQ. ALL RIGHT. OUT THE DOOR THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING. MOST OF US ARE STARTING OFF ON THE CHILLY SIDE, 50 DEGREES IN GREENVILLE, WHICH ISN’T TERRIBLE, BUT WE’RE IN THE 30S TOWARDS ASHEVILLE, 40 SOUTH OF I-85 AND UP TOWARDS GAFFNEY, 43 DEGREES. YOU’LL DEFINITELY WANT A LIGHT SWEATER OUT THE DOOR, ESPECIALLY AS THESE WINDS CONTINUE TO PICK UP. SO WHAT TO EXPECT FOR TODAY? IT IS BREEZY, ESPECIALLY THROUGH MID-MORNING. GUSTS WILL REACH OVER 30 MILES AN HOUR. THERE IS A FIRE DANGER FOR TODAY, SO PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND. THERE’S STILL BURN BAN IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. ACTUALLY, THE WHOLE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND FOR THE UPSTATE CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR FIRES. SO PLEASE JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR TODAY. THIS TIME WE’RE DISCOURAGING ANY BURNING OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY THE COMMISSION 57 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON BY LUNCH HOUR. THEN LATER THIS EVENING WE DO REACH THE 60S. SO WE ARE GOING TO STAY WELL BELOW AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. WE ARE STAYING MOSTLY SUNNY AND THEN WE START TO SEE A FEW CLOUDS INCREASE BY TONIGHT. WE SLOWLY BEGIN TO CLIMB IN TEMPERATURE. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. WE’RE BACK NEAR 70 TOMORROW. EVEN WARMER FRIDAY. NOW, IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE 80S, THEY DO EVENTUALLY RETURN. WE’LL JUMP JUMP BACK TOWARDS THE 80S ON SATURDAY AND THAT CONTINUES INTO THE NEXT WEEK. WE’LL TAKE ONE MORE LOOK AT MY FOUR-DAY PLUS HERE IN A COUPLE MINUTES. DESTINY. AARON VICTORIA 652. TRAFFIC IS LOOKING FANTASTIC, WHICH IS NOT TYPICAL AT THIS TIME OF MORNING. HERE’S A LIVE LOOK AT I-85 SOUTH NEAR BMW IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY. NO ISSUES. NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND I-85 LOOKS GREAT IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. THERE’S ONE LITTLE CONSTRUCTION PIECE DOWN AT THE STATE LINE SOUTHBOUND ON 85 AS YOU GET CLOSER TO GEORGIA. SO IF YOU’RE TRAVELING THROUGH FAIR PLAY, WALHALLA, THE RIGHT LANE IS CLOSED THERE FOR A COUPLE MILES, BUT NOT SEEING ANY IMPACTS FROM THAT. NO TRAVEL TIME DELAYS. IN FACT, THEY’RE ALL IN THE GREEN R

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — U.S Rep. Ralph Norman, a Republican candidate for governor, criticized members of the South Carolina Senate on Tuesday after a subcommittee advanced a bill that would significantly increase lawmakers’ salaries.

The proposal, Senate Bill 933, would raise legislators’ annual compensation from $22,400 to $47,500, up from the current structure of $10,400 in base pay and $1,000 per month for district expenses. The measure would also allow automatic pay increases every two years after House elections, tied to inflation but capped at 5%.

Norman, who announced his gubernatorial campaign earlier this year, said the pay proposal is disconnected from the financial pressures facing South Carolinians. In a statement, he called for greater accountability and opposed automatic raises for legislators.

“No legislator in Columbia deserves a pay raise,” Norman said. “This is irresponsible and a waste of taxpayer dollars! I am running for governor to Clean Up Columbia and get rid of the waste, fraud, and abuse, and we must begin by stopping these reckless pay raise schemes that are getting little to no attention! Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability!”

READ MORE | Rep. Ralph Norman files for governor

This stance is nothing new for Norman, who, in his campaign announcement, referred to sitting lawmakers as “crooks who use taxpayer dollars for their own benefit,” a message the representative from South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District has steadfastly committed to.

Supporters of the bill say higher compensation is necessary to reflect inflation and to broaden who can serve in the General Assembly, arguing that current compensation limits participation to those who are retired, independently wealthy or able to maintain outside employment and discourages individuals from diverse economic backgrounds from serving.

Under the proposal, the $47,500 annual compensation would cover both salary and district-related expenses, resulting in a raise of about $25,100 for lawmakers. The committee also voted to adjust how retirement benefits would be calculated under the new compensation structure to avoid unintended consequences.

The legislation follows a failed attempt last year to increase lawmakers’ in-district pay through the state budget. The South Carolina Supreme Court struck down that increase on the basis that lawmakers could not raise their own pay mid-term. The court’s ruling eliminated all in-district compensation because of the way the provision was written. Lawmakers later restored the $1,000 monthly in-district payment for the current fiscal year.

Norman has linked the state debate to a separate lawsuit filed by several current and former members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, DS.C., seeking retroactive pay increases. Norman warned that a successful outcome could lead to additional taxpayer-funded compensation, though the case is unrelated to the state legislation.

Norman, first elected to Congress in 2016, is one of several Republicans expected to compete in South Carolina’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — A major cleanup effort is underway across South Carolina’s waterways, as state officials and volunteers work to remove abandoned and hazardous boats.

On Monday, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, alongside Wounded Nature–Working Veterans, dismantled and hauled away 17 derelict vessels near Johns Island—part of a larger push to restore safety and environmental health on the water.

The effort follows the passage of Senate Bill 367 last year, which allows organizations to remove abandoned vessels more quickly.

SCDNR officials say the work is already making an impact. In addition to the 17 boats removed Monday, crews have cleared 61 other abandoned vessels.

“We’re making real progress on our goal to have every single abandoned boat out of the waters of South Carolina,” said Shannon Bobertz, Chief of Staff for SCDNR.

Bobertz emphasized the environmental and safety risks posed by derelict boats.

“These have been polluting the waterways of South Carolina,” she said. “When you have these boats that are hidden under the water, they’re navigation hazards. They’re also injuring fish and wildlife.”

The cleanup process, however, is far from simple.

“It’s a long process,” said Chris Owen, a volunteer with Wounded Nature–Working Veterans. “SCDNR has to go and tag them, and then you’ve got to try and find out who owned them.”

Divers face particularly dangerous conditions when searching for submerged debris.

“The waters of South Carolina are very dark, so when we go under the water, it’s pretty much like Braille diving,” said Lt. Willis Bowers with SCDNR’s Investigation Section. “There’s entanglements you could be swimming into while you’re diving. There’s all kinds of sharp, pokey things down there that can cut you.”

With visibility near zero in some areas, crews must rely on touch to locate hidden hazards beneath the surface.

Officials say public help is also critical in identifying problem areas. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has launched an online tool, MyCoast.org, where residents can report abandoned boats.

SCDNR warns that removing these vessels is both costly and time-consuming—and boat owners who abandon their vessels could face penalties under state law.