South-Carolina
South Carolina man bitten by world’s most venomous snake that he was keeping as pet
A South Carolina man is battling for his life in a hospital after he was bitten by an inland taipan — the most venomous snake in the world — in his home on Friday.
According to Reptile Magazine, the man, who was known for posting videos with the exotic venomous snakes in his collection, was free handling the snake when it bit him. The site said he posted a video handling the snake earlier in the day and claiming he could control its movement.
“I can control his turn,” he said in the video. “There’s no need to be so scared of him.”
WBTW identified the man as Jeffrey Leibowitz, and said that a search of his property later turned up 14 snakes and a pet cat. Among the venomous snakes taken from his home, the site said, was a green mamba, two gaboon vipers, a fer-de-lace, a death adder, an eastern diamondback rattlesnake, two other adult rattlesnakes of unknown species, to black forest cobras, two neotropical rattlesnakes, a small rattlesnake (species unknown) and the taipan.
Jeff Camper, a biologist and snake specialist at Francis Marion University, told the site the snake has a “very, very dangerous, potent venom,” and that one bite could “kill up to 100 people.”
WBTW said antivenom was flown in from Florida to help treat Leibowitz.
“His body is probably going to want to shut down relatively soon,” Camper told the site. “My understanding is that he’s on a respirator, and that’s what’s needed for the patient to be able to continue breathing, as his diaphragm is likely paralyzed.
“He may have long-lasting or permanent damage to various organs.”
“Taipan envenomations are incredibly dangerous and just about the worst thing to be bitten by,” University of Queensland Australia Associate Professor Bryan Fry wrote on Facebook. “That is because taipans are specialists upon very dangerous prey animals such as long-haired rats. Mammals quite capable of severely injuring or even killing a snake predator. So they have evolved strategies to absolutely nuke their very dangerous prey. Giving it no chance of retaliating.”
WBTW said that none of the zoos or reptile areas nearby would take the animals “due to unknown health and environmental concerns such as their living conditions and potential illnesses.” It said a family member signed a voluntary surrender form, giving the snakes over to Florence police for euthanasia.
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M baseball added left-handed pitcher, Logan Prisco, out of South Carolina through the transfer portal on Friday night.
Prisco worked as a relief pitcher for the Gamecocks this past season, appearing in 20 games. He posted a 3.45 ERA while tallying 34 strikeouts.
Prisco is the fifth pitcher the Aggies have picked up in the offseason along with Caleb Kimble (Houston), Johnny Nuanez (Wichita State), Jase Evangelista (UNLV) and Wade Cooper (Texas State). Prisco is the eighth overall player added to the Aggies roster this offseason.
Prisco will have two seasons of eligibility once he is in College Station.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Advocates, caregivers, patients, and community leaders gathered at the South Carolina State House on Friday for the inaugural South Carolina Sickle Cell Day.
Organizers said the event focused on raising awareness of sickle cell disease.
The South Carolina CBO Collective Caucus hosted the event at 10 a.m., coinciding with World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth.
Organizers said the gathering brought together healthcare professionals, legislators, advocates, and supporters from across the state to discuss education, support, and action related to sickle cell disease.
The program is designed to amplify the voices of individuals and families impacted by the disease and encourage conversations about healthcare access, advocacy, research, and community support, organizers said.
Attendees heard personal stories and learned about challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease.
“World Sickle Cell Day is a powerful call to action for all of us,” said founder and CEO of The B Strong Group Brenda Green. She said the collaboration expands support, strengthens community response, and stands with affected families.
The B Strong Group, founded in 2017 and based in Columbia, is a nonprofit organization focused on sickle cell awareness, advocacy, and caregiver support.
The group organizes blood drives, caregiver workshops, and awareness campaigns under the motto “Educate, Advocate, Empower.”
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.
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