electrician in Knightsville, SC

The Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of State Farm Insurance in Knightsville.

``We are a locally owned agency, passionate about educating and protecting the community we serve, backed by a national brand.” Jennifer Hoppe, Agent.

Hoppe’s new office is located at 100 O’Malley Drive, Unit A, Summerville, SC.

“My agency’s goal is to help Knightsville and surrounding communities realize the importance of insurance and having the proper protection in place.” Hoppe continues. The office will be opened

The team consists of Account Representative, Melinda Fernbach and Account Associate, Kimberly Hickman.

Staff Report

April Curci is the newest commercial real estate professional to partner with the rapidly expanding Commercial Real Estate Division of Carolina One Real Estate Services.A native of Arizona, Curci graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accompanied by three minors in real estate, entrepreneurship and biology.

A third generation commercial real estate professional, April Curci holds active licenses in both Arizona and South Carolina. Immersed in the Lowcountry’s dynamic real estate market since 2013, Curci specializes in the logistics and transportation of products coming through the Panama Canal and their subsequent dispersal throughout the U.S.

After her graduation from the College of Charleston, Curci held a position with a prominent brokerage firm as an interim office coordinator, handling a wide range of duties including IT, real estate data entry, facilities management, deal tracking and transportation management. Curci has completed the Global Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation/Deep Water Port Studies and Analysis Course and is in the process of becoming a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).

Working from Carolina One’s North Charleston Administration office at 4024 Salt Pointe Parkway, you are invited to call Aril Curci at (602) 625-3104 or email her at april.curci@carolinaoneplus.com.

Founded in 1964, Carolina One Real Estate is the undisputed leader in the Metro Charleston real estate market. In addition to Residential Real Estate, the 14 office full-service company offers divisions in Mortgage, Property and Casualty Insurance, New Homes Sales, Relocation, Commercial Real Estate, Vacation/Resort Rentals, Title Services, Property Management, and Career Development. Carolina One is also affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Mayfair International Realty providing world-class business resources and both national and global connections. For additional information, visit our website at www.carolinaone.com.

Roughly 10 months after emerging as a favorite food stop along St. James Avenue in Goose Creek, Sirinna’s Thai Kitchen has recently expanded its services by opening a 10-table, sit-down restaurant at 1201 Old Trolley Road in Summerville.

As many of the Goose Creek regulars can attest to, according to co-owner Gary Caouette, Sirinna’s hallmark is its authenticity in the way it holds true to traditional Thai cuisine without any added bells and whistles.

The one sprinkling her magic touch in the kitchen is Gary’s wife and fellow co-owner, Sirinna, who communicated something a bit off about many locally-based Thai food venues to her husband when she first moved to the States about 10 years ago.

“I took her to a Thai restaurant, and she said, ‘This doesn’t taste right.’ They Americanized it or fusioned it with some other Japanese or Filipino [style]. This is authentic Thai. People love it because we don’t change it into anything else,” observed Cauoette, a retired U.S. Army veteran.

And unlike the common perception that all Thai food is prepared spicy, Sirinna’s offerings are served both hot, mild and somewhere in between. Those who prefer to add a touch of fire to their meals can request a bit of chopped chili on the side.

Among the most popular dishes on the menu is the Pad Thai concoction — made with fried noodles, egg, bean sprouts, green onion and peanuts — as well as Sirinna’s fried rice.

“When I say fried rice, you may think all these places — Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese — all have fried rice, but no, ours is different. We have people come over here and tell us that they go all over the place for fried rice and they have to ask for soy sauce packets to add flavor. They said they don’t have to add anything to ours — it’s already got an amazing flavor,” mentioned Cauoette.

In addition, Sirinna’s options also include a vast selection of piping-hot soups, salads, tofu, curry dishes, as well as meat and seafood-based entrées that can modified to gluten-free.

The dessert menu features a mouth-watering Khanom Mor Gang treat with egg custard, along with a variety of bubble teas and coffee.

“We try to help everybody enjoy our food,” maintained Caouette in highlighting the restaurant’s willingness to tweak or modify orders to meet the needs of individual patrons.

Thus far, the new Summerville location has proven to be a major hit, as several customers have provided five-star reviews, noting Sirinna’s “peaceful” indoor dining atmosphere, as well as its “fresh” and “flavorful” food.

For more information on Sirinna’s Thai Kitchen, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SThai.Food.Truck

Dorchester County’s recent $500,000 investment in a new Unified Command Unit vehicle will reportedly enhance emergency response services.

The state-of-the-art addition is expected to help the Department of Emergency Management handle complex and large-scale emergencies.

The 36-foot command unit comes with a built-in command staff meeting area that includes video displays for planning and briefings. What’s more, the vehicle features satellite communication, radios and connectivity to County and 9-1-1 computer networks.

A corresponding press release states that the unit “will be deployed at large-scale community events, disasters, search and rescues, and other emergency situations.”

Director of Emergency Management Thomas McNeal adds: “In the past, agencies were working from pop-up tents or from the hoods of their vehicles often in the dark with limited connectivity. Our new command unit is basically a high-tech mobile work space that is a shared resource for all emergency services operating within Dorchester County including our local municipal law enforcement and emergency responders.”

Three Summerville Rotary Clubs gathered on March 2 for a social event at the Dorchester Boat Club that saw more than 100 Rotarians and guests in attendance. On hand were members of area morning, lunch and evening clubs. To read more about the worldwide impact of Rotary teams, visit rotary.org. Pictured (l-r) are: Rotary Area 6 Assistant District Governor Kimberly Nolte, Summerville Rotary Lunch Club President Katie McCravy, Summerville Oakbrook Morning Club President Frank Bouknight, and Summerville Evening Club President Karla Fields.

Dorchester School District 2′s teachers of the year got an early holiday treat on Dec. 10 when the community held a holiday breakfast for them at Knightsville United Methodist Church in Summerville.

More than 40 educators from DD2 and Dorchester School District 4 were recognized at the event, which was put on by the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce and powered by the REV Federal Credit Union, according to a press release announcing the event.

“We recognize these teachers for their hard work and investment in the future of our community,” said chamber president Rita Berry in the release. “We know these teachers are shaping students to become our future leaders.”

Honorees included teachers of the year from each individual elementary, middle and high school in the districts, as well as district-wide teachers of the year and a rookie teacher of the year, according to the press release. The teachers had breakfast and listened to music provided by an ensemble from the Summerville Orchestra.

Hope Scholars Academy Head of School Anna Goodwin Smith has recently announced the appointment of three new faculty members at the University-Model Christian school. The new additions will be formally introduced at a Jan. 24 Open House, which kicks off at 7 p.m.

These three include the following educators: Rachel Hudson (11th grade), Melissa Bennett (8th, 9th and 10th grades) and Stacey Wall (10th grade).

Hudson is a literature and composition teacher, who earned her B.A.in English from the University of Southern Wesleyan University and her M.A. in adolescent literature. She has worked for eight years in a middle school setting and served as a mentor for teachers in those grades. The new hire features work in curriculum development, e-learning and content creation for teachers in her background.

Bennett is a Geneva College graduate who will be leading classes in Bible. Her BA, it was noted, was in student ministries and she is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The married mother of three and foster parent has discipled students one-on-one and taught Bible for more than 20 years, according to the school.

Wall will be teaching classes in British Literature and composition. The Clemson University graduate also boasts an MBA from the University of South Carolina. Her résumé includes 30 years as a business and home school cooperatives teacher. Further noted is her creation of a variety of curriculum, as she has taught and evaluated students in several subjects.

“With the growth of our school and our emphasis on a classically-inspired Christian Curriculum, we are delighted to have these three experienced teachers joining us,” said Smith.

A corresponding press release mentions that the Open House will serve as an opportunity for families to tour the facility and meet the new faculty members.

The release states: “In addition, the continuing faculty members will be on hand for questions about the full curriculum, including: science, math, engineering, Bible, world view, art and languages. To sign up, go to hopescholarsacademy.org.”

Hope Scholars is located in Cooper River Baptist Church at 1059 Crawford St in Park Circle near the intersection of I-26 and I-526.

It’s the end of an era for roller skaters. Music in Motion Family Fun Center roller rink in Summerville shut its doors for good Sunday night. A rink employee confirmed Monday that the skating facility has permanently closed.

Last Thursday, at the rink’s final adult night, skaters zipped along, displaying skills that spanned from spinning and dancing on wheels backwards to apprehensive first-timers feeling it out. A disco ball spun along with the tunes that weren’t necessarily child-appropriate.

As word spread the rink would close permanently, skaters unabashedly filmed one another to document their joy and camaraderie as they zoomed around in circles grooving to the beat.

The closing of Music in Motion is a major cultural loss for the area, many say, especially since the only other rinks in the area, Hot Wheels Skate Center and Stardust Skate Center, closed in 2014.

Summerville native Demont Teneil said he has skated at Music in Motion for 14 years. For him, roller skating is therapy to help navigate career and relationships changes.

“I needed something that no one could take from me — and it was skating,” Teneil said. “It’s been my outlet. I just kept going and just kept trying new tricks and it rolled me out of depression.”

Teneil said he heard from his fellow skaters that Music in Motion, which opened in 2001, would not be a roller rink much longer.

“I’m sad that it’s been sold but it will definitely still always be a part of me, because I’ve learned so many of my tricks at the skating rink,” Teneil said. He plans to start traveling to Savannah, Ga., and Columbia to rink skate, and will hit the outdoor skate areas, such The Bridge Spot off of Poinsett Street in downtown Charleston.

The dynamic of teaching and learning is a big part of the roller skating experience at Music in Motion, others said.

“Everybody’s really nice and supportive,” said Nick Velez, who’s been skating regularly at Music in Motion since February. He has roller skated for about 16 years and used to be an instructor in Southern California before he moved to Goose Creek.

“Everybody’s really cool and down to help out,” he said. “If you’re struggling, don’t fear. They’ll help you up. If you have any questions, if you want to learn something, they’re more than happy to show you how to do it. If you’re trying to pop off and be yourself, they’re all about it.”

Shmeika Hall from Goose Creek said she worked at Music in Motion for almost a year before she left her position as a rink floor guard last June.

“Working here was important to me because I was able to teach people how to skate,” she said. “I was able to interact and make skating friends. When I first started skating here, maybe five years ago, it was a very small crowd of adults, but over time it has grown. [The rink] was like a safe place for adults to come and have fun, and I don’t know how we’re going to do that now.”

A few months ago, Auburn Fiore, who lives in Knightsville, visited Music in Motion for the first time in 10 years. As a child, she said she visited frequently.

“When I came here for adult skate night, I realized how joyous and amazing the community is here,” Fiore said. “While we’re here, we’re all one big community that loves to come together, dance and have a great time. I’m definitely scared of losing a place for us all to gather and bond over roller skating.”

Roller skating is just as much about congregating as a group as it is the privilege to have a space to skate, she said. Outdoor roller skating isn’t an ideal option for beginner skaters, she added, because of uneven concrete, blistering heat and rules that prohibit skating at sports courts around the area.

“It’s definitely devastating,” Fiore said. “Now all the people that have bonded over this super-interesting talent and hobby, there’s nowhere for us to congregate.”

While the future of roller skating in the area is unclear, one option exists for women skaters: Lowcountry Highrollers Derby, a local women’s roller derby team. It’s offering a meet-and-greet Thursday.

Highrollers president Traci Doutaz of Ladson remembers going to Music in Motion often between 2015 and 2017 after Hot Wheels Skate Center closed.

“For beginners, it’s super important to have a roller rink to learn not only because the floor is amazing, but [it] also has skates to borrow,” she said. “Roller skating is not the easiest hobby to just pick up and not having a local roller rink and its community just takes that option away for a lot of people.”

Doutaz joined Highrollers in 2010, and she said it was popular up until about 2015 when the group lost its bouting venue at The Citadel. Then Covid-19 hit and roller skating blew up, Doutaz said, so there was renewed interest in Highrollers. After more than a year of searching, North Charleston Coliseum offered the group a space to practice and hold bouts currently. The closest roller derby club for men is in Columbia, she said.

Doutaz has been roller skating for almost 30 years. She worked her first job as a carhop on skates at a Sonic in Kentucky.

“Emotionally it’s my escape,” she said. “It’s how I deal with things. It’s my happy place. I’m more comfortable with wheels on my feet than anything else.”

The Highrollers group offers a haven for women skaters who need to be shown the ropes.

“We will teach you everything: how to skate and how to fall,” Doutaz said. “You can show up even if you have never put skates on before.”

Lowcountry Highrollers Derby is hosting a meet-and-greet 6-9 p.m. Aug. 25 at Rusty Bull in North Charleston.

Stay cool. Support City Paper.

City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTSPOTTER REPORTSNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC708 PM EDT THU JUN 13 2019...HEAVY RAINS FALL ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA... THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN BY VARIOUS QUALITYCONTROLLED OBSERVATIONS SYSTEMS FROM ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINAAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. RAINFALL REPORTS ARE FROM JUNE 10 THROUGH 7 AM ON THE 13TH.********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS                                        RAINFALL           OF                      /INCHES/   MEASUREMENTGEORGIA...BRYAN COUNTY...   1 NNE RICHMOND HILL   4.25   510 PM  6/13  GA-BR-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 NW BELFAST          2.18   527 PM  6/13  GA-BR-9: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...BULLOCH COUNTY...   4 S GEORGIA SOUTHERN  4.02   511 PM  6/13  GA-BU-15: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NW STATESBORO       1.99   638 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    4 N STATESBORO        1.51   611 PM  6/13  GA-BU-13: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...CANDLER COUNTY...   7 N METTER            1.44   612 PM  6/13  GA-CD-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...CHATHAM COUNTY...   5 S POOLER            8.85   501 PM  6/13  GA-CT-77: 3-DAY TOTAL.     KSAV SAVANNAH AIRPORT 6.89   628 PM  6/13  KSAV: 3-DAY TOTAL.         2 NW BURROUGHS        6.35   639 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    2 NE GARDEN CITY      5.85   505 PM  6/13  GA-CT-28: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SW GARDEN CITY      5.41   506 PM  6/13  GA-CT-83: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 NW POOLER           4.55   508 PM  6/13  GA-CT-1: 3-DAY TOTAL.      7 SSW SKIDAWAY ISLAN  3.91   634 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    6 SSE MELDRIM         3.87   512 PM  6/13  GA-CT-67: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 N ISLE OF HOPE      3.46   513 PM  6/13  GA-CT-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 W SANDFLY           3.20   514 PM  6/13  GA-CT-74: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 W SKIDAWAY ISLAND   2.79   516 PM  6/13  GA-CT-75: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SW VERNONBURG       2.72   521 PM  6/13  GA-CT-36: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 WSW WINDSOR FOREST  2.46   522 PM  6/13  GA-CT-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 WNW WHITE BLUFF     2.42   522 PM  6/13  GA-CT-60: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW WHITE BLUFF     2.37   523 PM  6/13  GA-CT-55: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 NE SKIDAWAY ISLAND  2.29   636 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    1 E WILMINGTON ISLAN  2.24   526 PM  6/13  GA-CT-80: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SAVANNAH              2.24   525 PM  6/13  GA-CT-79: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 N TYBEE ISLAND      2.12   528 PM  6/13  GA-CT-37: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 ENE WILMINGTON ISL  2.03   607 PM  6/13  GA-CT-64: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...EFFINGHAM COUNTY...   1 SW STILLWELL        6.35   503 PM  6/13  GA-EF-17: 3-DAY TOTAL.     MARLOW                5.87   504 PM  6/13  GA-EF-13: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 WSW EBENEZER        4.78   507 PM  6/13  GA-EF-18: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...EVANS COUNTY...   3 N BELLVILLE         1.59   609 PM  6/13  GA-EV-1: 3-DAY TOTAL    ...LIBERTY COUNTY...   4 ENE MIDWAY          2.79   517 PM  6/13  GA-LB-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 N HINESVILLE        1.89   608 PM  6/13  GA-LB-11: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 E HALFMOON LANDING  1.56   610 PM  6/13  GA-LB-10: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ENE MIDWAY          1.35   614 PM  6/13  GA-LB-4: 3-DAY TOTAL    ...MCINTOSH COUNTY...   2 NNE PINE HARBOR     1.43   613 PM  6/13  GA-MI-5: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 NNE SHELLMAN BLUFF  1.24   615 PM  6/13  GA-MI-1: 3-DAY TOTAL.      SAPELO ISLAND         1.10   617 PM  6/13  GA-MI-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 S CARNIGAN          1.06   622 PM  6/13  GA-MI-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...SCREVEN COUNTY...   1 S NEWINGTON         2.85   515 PM  6/13  GA-SV-5: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 W SYLVANIA          1.47   624 PM  6/13  GA-SV-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.   SOUTH CAROLINA...ALLENDALE COUNTY...   2 SE ALLENDALE        0.44   457 PM  6/13  SC-AL-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...BEAUFORT COUNTY...   3 ENE BLUFFTON       11.07   306 PM  6/13  SC-BF-22: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 N BLUFFTON          9.53   704 PM  6/13  SC-BF-74: 2-DAY TOTAL.     2 W PRITCHARDVILLE    9.20   705 PM  6/13  SC-BF-85: 2-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNE HILTON HEAD IS  8.80   309 PM  6/13  SC-BF-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 NNW PRITCHARDVILLE  8.20   310 PM  6/13  SC-BF-86: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NNE BLUFFTON        8.09   311 PM  6/13  SC-BF-4: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 SSW PRITCHARDVILLE  7.25   313 PM  6/13  SC-BF-50: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 N PRITCHARDVILLE    7.09   315 PM  6/13  SC-BF-10: 3-DAY TOTAL      6 E JASPER            6.58   316 PM  6/13  SC-BF-32: 3-DAY TOTAL.     6 ENE JASPER          6.20   321 PM  6/13  SC-BF-36: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 WNW PARRIS ISLAND   5.88   323 PM  6/13  SC-BF-53: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW FOLLY FIELD     5.26   332 PM  6/13  SC-BF-66: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 ENE HILTON HEAD IS  5.01   336 PM  6/13  SC-BF-59: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NNW PORT ROYAL      4.49   347 PM  6/13  SC-BF-80: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ESE BEAUFORT        4.43   352 PM  6/13  SC-BF-68: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNE BEAUFORT        4.40   355 PM  6/13  SC-BF-35: 3-DAY TOTAL.     5 NE BEAUFORT         3.42   410 PM  6/13  SC-BF-37: 3-DAY TOTAL.     7 NNW TYBEE ISLAND    3.39   410 PM  6/13  SC-BF-23: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...BERKELEY COUNTY...   7 NNE GOOSE CREEK     5.11   332 PM  6/13  SC-BK-55: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SANGAREE              4.18   357 PM  6/13  SC-BK-68: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SE COLLEGE PARK     2.93   421 PM  6/13  SC-BK-17: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW GOOSE CREEK     2.90   422 PM  6/13  SC-BK-65: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 ESE COLLEGE PARK    2.71   425 PM  6/13  SC-BK-71: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NE GOOSE CREEK      2.65   427 PM  6/13  SC-BK-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 S DANIEL ISLAND     2.37   434 PM  6/13  SC-BK-48: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSW DANIEL ISLAND   2.28   437 PM  6/13  SC-BK-61: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SAINT STEPHEN         1.61   446 PM  6/13  SC-BK-59: 3-DAY TOTAL.     6 WNW SAINT STEPHEN   1.17   450 PM  6/13  SC-BK-29: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...CHARLESTON COUNTY...   3 SW EDISTO ISLAND    7.11   314 PM  6/13  SC-CR-153: 3-DAY TOTAL     3 S SHADOWMOSS        6.29   318 PM  6/13  SC-CR-97: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SW SHADOWMOSS       5.92   322 PM  6/13  SC-CR-151: 3-DAY TOTAL.    5 E BENNETTS POINT    5.74   325 PM  6/13  SC-CR-155: 3-DAY TOTAL     5 SSE CAINHOY         5.46   325 PM  6/13  SC-CR-26: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ESE EDISTO ISLAND   5.35   326 PM  6/13  SC-CR-115: 3-DAY TOTAL.    2 NNW NORTH CHARLEST  5.34   328 PM  6/13  SC-CR-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 N ROCKVILLE         5.29   329 PM  6/13  SC-CR-98: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SSW SHADOWMOSS      5.00   337 PM  6/13  SC-CR-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 SE CAINHOY          4.72   338 PM  6/13  SC-CR-112: 3-DAY TOTAL.    MCCLELLANVILLE        4.70   341 PM  6/13  SC-CR-33: 3-DAY TOTAL      3 SE HANAHAN          4.66   341 PM  6/13  SC-CR-78: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SW SHADOWMOSS       4.60   343 PM  6/13  SC-CR-173: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 SSE CAINHOY         4.57   345 PM  6/13  SC-CR-106: 3-DAY TOTAL.    4 SSE CAINHOY         4.46   349 PM  6/13  SC-CR-158: 3-DAY TOTAL.    2 N NORTH CHARLESTON  4.42   353 PM  6/13  SC-CR-171: 3-DAY TOTAL.    5 ESE CAINHOY         4.41   354 PM  6/13  SC-CR-146: 3-DAY TOTAL.    KCXM: DTWN CHARLESTON 4.22   627 PM  6/13  KCXM: 3-DAY TOTAL.         2 N MOUNT PLEASANT    4.09   359 PM  6/13  SC-CR-148: 3-DAY TOTAL.    4 E JOHNS ISLAND      4.08   401 PM  6/13  SC-CR-74: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SSW JAMES ISLAND    3.99   402 PM  6/13  SC-CR-60: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NNW MOUNT PLEASANT  3.82   405 PM  6/13  SC-CR-10: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SE DANIEL ISLAND    3.77   407 PM  6/13  SC-CR-144: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 ESE CHARLESTON AIR  3.53   407 PM  6/13  SC-CR-49: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 S CAINHOY           3.50   409 PM  6/13  SC-CR-113: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 ESE KIAWAH ISLAND   3.36   411 PM  6/13  SC-CR-154: 3-DAY TOTAL.    2 NW LADSON           3.31   413 PM  6/13  SC-CR-149: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 SW JAMES ISLAND     3.15   416 PM  6/13  SC-CR-141: 3-DAY TOTAL.    3 WSW JAMES ISLAND    2.77   423 PM  6/13  SC-CR-175: 3-DAY TOTAL.    3 SSE WEST ASHLEY     2.72   424 PM  6/13  SC-CR-88: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NE MOUNT PLEASANT   2.57   429 PM  6/13  SC-CR-4: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 SW GOOSE CREEK      2.57   430 PM  6/13  SC-CR-30: 3-DAY TOTAL.     KCHS: CHARLESTON APRT 2.57   627 PM  6/13  KCHS: 3-DAY TOTAL.         2 SSW NORTH CHARLEST  2.48   432 PM  6/13  SC-CR-87: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ENE MOUNT PLEASANT  2.47   433 PM  6/13  SC-CR-77: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 NE JAMES ISLAND     2.33   435 PM  6/13  SC-CR-96: 3-DAY TOTAL.     5 ENE SULLIVANS ISLA  1.44   448 PM  6/13  SC-CR-166: 3-DAY TOTAL. ...COLLETON COUNTY...   1 SSE GREEN POND      6.25   320 PM  6/13  SC-CL-4: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 SSW ROUND O         4.53   346 PM  6/13  SC-CL-16: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW COTTAGEVILLE    3.06   417 PM  6/13  SC-CL-17: 3-DAY TOTAL.     CANADYS               2.65   428 PM  6/13  SC-CL-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 NNW WALTERBORO      2.27   439 PM  6/13  SC-CL-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 NW ASHTON           2.26   439 PM  6/13  SC-CL-9: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 W ISLANDTON         2.09   443 PM  6/13  SC-CL-20: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SMOAKS                1.46   447 PM  6/13  SC-CL-5: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...DORCHESTER COUNTY...   4 WNW CHARLESTON AIR  3.22   415 PM  6/13  SC-DC-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSW SUMMERVILLE     2.96   420 PM  6/13  SC-DC-36: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SE KNIGHTSVILLE     2.96   420 PM  6/13  SC-DC-62: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 S RIDGEVILLE        1.99   445 PM  6/13  SC-DC-66: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SSE REEVESVILLE     0.87   454 PM  6/13  SC-DC-18: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...HAMPTON COUNTY...   2 W HAMPTON           2.51   430 PM  6/13  SC-HM-21: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSE HAMPTON         2.45   434 PM  6/13  SC-HM-7: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 WNW CROCKETVILLE    2.33   436 PM  6/13  SC-HM-16: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SE HAMPTON          2.20   441 PM  6/13  SC-HM-15: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSW BRUNSON         1.45   449 PM  6/13  SC-HM-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...JASPER COUNTY...   2 S JASPER            5.80   324 PM  6/13  SC-JS-9: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 SSE OLD HOUSE       5.07   334 PM  6/13  SC-JS-3: 3-DAY REPORT.

VIDEO: Old Fort Fire against Dorchester County's decision to terminate contract, residents concerned

DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - Some Jedburg and Knightsville area residents are upset that a fire station that served them for nearly 30 years will no longer be in service at the beginning of next year.

In November, Dorchester County Council unanimously voted to not renew the contracts for three Old Fort Fire Stations. The contracts last 5 years.

Dorchester County Fire and Rescue will cover those areas. It's all part of the county's plan to unify and improve fire and rescue services that started back in 2013.

Concerned citizens gathered at the Old Fort Fire Station on Orangeburg Road, also known as the Knightsville station. Many of them don't want to see the station go away and they plan to try to do something about it.

Right now there are three Old Fort Fire Stations that serve Jedburg and Knightsville areas. Starting January 18 of next year, Dorchester County Fire and Rescue will run the two stations that are county owned. One station is in The Ponds neighborhood in Summerville and the other fire station is on Highway 78. In contrast, the Knightsville station on Orangeburg road will be closed.

Commissioner of the Old Fort Fire Department, Bill Yarborough led Thursday night's community meeting at the Knightsville Fire Station.

"It's causing problems for our firefighters, it's causing problem for the citizens here they'll have one less station to depend on, and the Town of Summerville they'll have one less station to augment their services," he said.

The meeting was to inform the community about the changes. Many were concerned about losing a station.

"We need people who already know this area and that's worked with the people before," says a local resident Larry Groover. "New firefighters coming in, I have nothing against them. I think they're going to be great eventually, but they don't have the experience yet."

Residents say they are hesitant about the change because current firefighters are familiar with the routes and buildings because the Old Fort Station has served the area for a long time. They're also concerned about longer response times.

Chairman of the Dorchester County Council, David Chinnis, says County Council voted for the changes because it will unify fire protection and reduce the costs of protection for residents and some insurance ratings.

"This means that the fire service is going to be better and partially because an automatic aid agreement with the town of Summerville," Chinnis said.

An automatic aid agreement means when a fire happens and alert will go to all stations and the closest station will respond, according to Chinnis. This is regardless if the place is in the town or county. For example when the Knightsville Fire Station is gone, the Summerville Fire Department, about a mile away, will respond to some of those area calls. In addition, when a truck leaves the station and creates a vacancy other nearby departments will be prepared to step in, in the case of another emergency at the same time.

"I don't really believe anyone looks at the door of the truck, they just want to make sure that red truck rolls up and that guy in turnout gear with a hose, gets out and is ready to fight that fire," Chinnis said. "That's the most important thing."

Chinnis says when the changes are made, three first responders will be required to be on the truck when responding to emergency calls. He says that's not always the case now.

Yarborough feels there is still a lost for the community, he says especially because there are four schools surrounding the Knightsville station.

"We could cover these schools very good, we're going to leave a hole, when this happens in this area," Yarborough said. "This station will go away, Summerville is going to have to cover it by themselves and we'll have to wait for other units to respond elsewhere."

About 18 Old Fort firefighters work at the three stations seeing changes. County officials say they will be able to apply for jobs when the county takes over the two stations in their coverage area.

"[It's] always been a contract area, it's always been a Dorchester County responsibility, but we simply contracted it," Chinnis said. "We believe at this point in time that the capabilities with Dorchester County Fire and Rescue, with where they have come in the three years....since inception that we can provide those services."

Officials at the Old Fort Fire Station on Orangeburg Road say they are going to continue to have public meetings on Thursday at 7 p.m. to spread the word about the change.

Copyright 2016 WCSC. All Rights Reserved.