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Groups clear nearly 2,300 pounds of trash (Page 238)

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

Palmetto Pride, South Carolina’s anti-litter task force, announced its clean-up numbers for trash pick-up during the statewide South Carolina Seven (SC7) expedition in July.

According to Palmetto Pride Executive Director Sarah Lyles, Palmetto Pride volunteers – most of whom were hikers participating in the SC7 expedition – collected about 2,295 pounds of trash from the Upstate to the Lowcountry, July 1-30.

That’s not all of Palmetto Pride’s numbers for July, but they are its numbers specific to SC7.

“The Palmetto Pride trash pickup with SC7 was a tremendous success,” said SC7 expedition leader Tom Mullikin, who also serves as chair of the S.C. Floodwater Commission. “Cleaning and clearing our roadsides, especially culverts, ditches, and other low-lying drainage areas is but one of many means by which we help mitigate the impacts of flooding into our communities; but it is chief among those means.”

Lyles says litter prevention is a “behavior change,” and litter cleanups are essential not only for the beautification of the Palmetto State, but for health and safety reasons as well as to minimize the flood risks, as Mullikin points to, by establishing and maintaining free flowing drainage areas.

“Being a part of SC7 was and is important to us because we share the common core principle of a cleaner environment,” said Lyles. “Working together gives us all a way to demonstrate the intricate connection between urbanized lifestyles and the great outdoors, just how close they are to one another, and how necessary it is that we address the massive amounts of solid waste we create every day.”

Some 30 large bags of trash, for a total of 600 pounds, were collected by Palmetto Pride-SC7 volunteers in Pickens County in early July. Newberry volunteers then collected at least three large bags totaling 60 pounds. Fort Jackson participants collected about 50 bags totaling approximately 1,000 pounds. And volunteers in and around Edisto collected some 635 pounds of trash.

“We also had fun together as we were cleaning up litter,” said Lyles. “Yes, litter cleanup can be fun.”

The SC7 expedition, which began July 1 in the Upstate, covered several hundred miles in order to showcase the unique natural beauty of the Palmetto State and to raise greater awareness of environmental threats (resulting from disastrous storms and flooding) to the most vulnerable areas of the state.

The month-long expedition – primarily hiking, but also rafting, kayaking, and SCUBA diving – concluded in Charleston, July 30. Along the way, Mullikin and other experts described the state’s seven geographic wonders explored and observed along a unique trek closely paralleling several hundred miles of the famed Palmetto Trail from the mountains to the sea.

The seven designated wonders of S.C. include Sassafras Mountain, the Jocassee Gorges, the Chattooga River, the Congaree National Forest, the Edisto River, the ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto) Basin, and Bull Island-Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

With more than 640,000 volunteers having cleared 73-million pounds of litter from the state’s roads and natural areas since 2001, Palmetto Pride officials say litter has been reduced 60-percent statewide over the past 20 years.

Groups clear nearly 2,300 pounds of trash

2021-08-27
On: August 27, 2021
In: Community News

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Palmetto Pride, South Carolina’s anti-litter task force, announced its clean-up numbers for trash pick-up during the statewide South Carolina SevenContinue Reading

Congressman Joe Wilson participates in a press conference on Afghanistan

2021-08-26
On: August 26, 2021
In: Government

Congressman Joe Wilson, Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, participated in a press conference on President Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.Continue Reading

DeAundre Pettus: Boxing towards the future

2021-08-26
On: August 26, 2021
In: Sports

“He’s a heck of an athlete, dedicated to the sport, with great athletic ability.” – Sean Fink, trainer DeAundre Pettus is an up-and-coming professional boxerContinue Reading

Deputies arrest man charged in May shooting

2021-08-26
On: August 26, 2021
In: Public Safety

A Gaston man accused of shooting into a minivan in May turned himself in Tuesday night. Kristofer Jaiwon Thomas, 19, is charged with two countsContinue Reading

Sheriff: Lexington man paddled kayak to steal boat items

2021-08-26
On: August 26, 2021
In: Public Safety

Lexington County deputies have arrested a man accused of stealing electronics and boating items from a boat on Lake Murray. Eric Nickels, 36, is chargedContinue Reading

Nominations now open for both S.C. Arts Awards

2021-08-23
On: August 23, 2021
In: Community News

Nominations are now open to honor persons or organizations in South Carolina who exhibit the highest levels of achievement, influence, or support of arts andContinue Reading

Benefit concert to feature Maddie Bean

2021-08-23
On: August 23, 2021
In: Entertainment

Up and coming country music star Maddie Rean will be performing at the Lexington Icehouse Amphitheater on Friday, September 17.   Rean was born andContinue Reading

America is better than what we’re witnessing right now

2021-08-23
On: August 23, 2021
In: Opinion

By Tom Mullikin It’s been nearly two decades since that fateful September morning in 2001 when four commercial airliners were hijacked by Al Qaeda terroristsContinue Reading

Capital City/Lake Murray Country Celebrates 40 Years and Many Accomplishments

2021-08-17
On: August 17, 2021
In: Business, Recreation

The Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) Regional Tourism Board’s Annual Meeting and 40th Year Celebration was held Thursday, August 12th. The meeting provided an opportunityContinue Reading

Should SC lawmakers regulate Uber/Lyft?

2021-08-16
On: August 16, 2021
In: Business, Opinion

As a long-term Uber/Lyft driver with over 8000 rides given, here is my perspective. I recently received an email from Lyft regarding lobbyists trying toContinue Reading

Newberry Opera House announces new season

2021-08-13
On: August 13, 2021
In: Entertainment, Events

The Newberry Opera House has announced the 2021-22 Season schedule featuring theatre, dance, music, and family favorites for all ages. The season will go onContinue Reading

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