Family Photographer in James Island, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - To fight back on an uptick in illicit behavior inspired by the social media platform TikTok, a Charleston County school is taking the traditional hall pass digital.

Through an application called SmartPass, students at James Island Charter High School can request permission to leave the classroom for things like going to the restroom or stopping by their lockers. The app is downloaded to each school-issued laptop but can also be downloaded to a cell phone as well.

“We have had people, unfortunately, try to sneak into our school and they’re not supposed to be here. Now, at any given moment, we know there should be, say, seven people in the hallway and who they are,” Principal Timothy Thorn said. “It has a lot of safety components that allows us to keep our buildings safer.”

While the app does not track movements, all active passes are monitored on a screen by the principal, student concern specialists or the school resource officer. When students are issued a pass, they’re given a time limit before they’re supposed to return. When they run out of time the pass turns red on the screen and school officials can then follow up as needed.

Thorn says this system is new for them this year and is a direct response to some of the issues exposed last year.

“Last year, there was a TikTok challenge that a lot of schools went through. Kids would text each other to leave class. They’d meet up and then they’d go around the building and film themselves doing various things. The TikTok challenge was vandalism and stealing things from school,” Thorn said. “We are trying to cut back on the vandalism in our school, the sinks being ripped off the wall. . . it’s not a new problem but it definitely escalated in the last couple years.”

The time allowed for each hall pass is adjustable. For now, Thorne says bathroom breaks are generally given five minutes, while trips to the water fountain could be three minutes. Students start with five bathroom passes a day, but Thorn says they’re still figuring out what works best and teachers have the authority to override daily limits.

The app also has a feature that can control which students can have hall passes at the same time. Thorn says this feature allows them to crack down on significant others who might want to meet up in the middle of class or prevent groups of students known to abuse bathroom privileges from all being allowed to leave the classroom at the same time.

Thorn says the feature helps them keep students safe who are being bullied.

“It’s really about the bullying, harassment and safety contracts,” Thorn said. “If we can say student A, B and C can’t be out with student D to make sure it [bullying] doesn’t go on, that’s a tremendous way to keep kids safe. We have had to have adults follow students around just to get through some of these school harassment issues.”

You can learn more about the app, how it works and some of the reviews at its website.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Charleston, SC - The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame has announced the inductees for the Class of 2022, naming players Brett Spivey and Rodney Hancock and Coach Timmy Linker, to the 19th Baseball Hall of Fame class.

Spivey and Hancock were both selected by local fans voting; Linker was a special pick from the Advisory Committee.

The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame is coordinated and operated by the Charleston RiverDogs. An advisory committee consisting of knowledgeable local volunteers was created to come up with the names as potential nominees. The Hall of Fame is located inside Riley Park.

Information about each of the inductees is below:

Rodney Hancock (Player): A Lowcountry native, Rodney Hancock starred at Stratford High, having been named the school’s Athlete of the Year, twice All-Lowcountry, All-Region and All-State during his career. He hit .437 and posted a 0.80 ERA on the mound, including a pair of no-hitters. The 1996 4A State Player of the Year led the Knights to the state championship and was later named the North-South Game MVP. Hancock was named the 1997 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year while at The Citadel where he hit .365 with six homers and 49 RBI. He earned Freshman All-American honors by two prominent publications. Coached by Fred Jordan, he was a member of the 1999 regular-season championship team in addition to two SoCon Tournament title squads that also participated in a pair of NCAA Regionals. He was the 1999 SoCon Tournament MVP and a two-time SoCon and College Baseball Player of the Week. Hancock fired a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts against Furman on May 14 and five days later fanned 20 against the Paladins in the SoCon Tournament. Hancock was selected in the 29th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000 and was enshrined in The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

Brett Spivey (Player): Spivey is a James Island and College of Charleston product who started every high school game since his freshman year. He was a two-time All-Region selection who helped the Trojans to three state finals appearances (1996, ‘97 and ‘99). He batted .398 as a junior and .580 as a senior with a state-high 69 hits as he finished his high school career as the school’s all-time leader in hits (224) and walks (125). He was named All-State, All-Region and All-Lowcountry, named the Region Player of the Year and the 4A State Player of the Year. At the College of Charleston, he played in 216 career games and hit .328 with 19 home runs, 144 RBI, 184 runs and 60 stolen bases, 43 doubles and 11 triples. His .423 batting average in 2002 ranked 15th nationally (also 3rd all-time at CofC). He was named first-team All-Southern Conference in 2002, second team in 2003 and named to the All-Atlantic Region second team by the American Baseball Coaches Association in ‘02. He began his professional career by signing a free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies and played two seasons in the Northwestern League.

Timmy Linker (Coach) (Deceased): Timmy was a volunteer coach at St. Andrews Parks and Playground for over 40 years, as well as working with both St. Andrew’s High School and the current West Ashley High School. He began as a volunteer T-ball coach in 1969 and has twice been named the St. Andrew’s Parks Volunteer of the Year. He held many roles at each – Athletic Director, Scorekeeper, Announcer, Umpire/Referee - and loved every minute of his time on the field/court. Over the years, the youth he had the pleasure to coach have become coaches themselves, quoting Timmy as their inspiration. In 2007, St. Andrews Parks and Playground Commission inducted him into their Hall of Fame and in 2022 officially named the Brinker Field press box after Timmy at their main complex on Playground Road.

CHARLESTON BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2022 - Rodney Hancock

Brett Spivey

Timmy Linker

2021 - Chip Cannon

Oscar Fordham

2020 - No Inductions

2019 - Tony Cadden

Mike Montei

Kiki Cuyler

2018 – Lewis Elmore “Lukey” Dudley

Jerry Stoots

Richard “Dick” Jones

2017 - Philip Hartig

R.J. Swindle

Ryan Johnson

John Couch

2016 – Ted Byrne

Chris Campbell

Nick Chigges

Joe Riley, Jr.

Mike Veeck

2015 – Pete Ayoub

John Chalus

Lee Curtis

2014 – Reese Havens

David Hoffman

Billy Swails, Jr.

2013 – Steven Jackson

Drew Meyer

Britt Reames

2012 – Gettys Glaze

Tom Hatley

John Rhodes

2011 – Bill Ackerman

Roberto Alomar

Mike Kimbrell

2010 – Lee Glaze

Fred Jordan

D.K. Walters

Kenny Wilkinson

2009 – John Dodds, Jr.

W.S. “Bull” Durham

Donald Morillo

Doug Pounder

2008 – Bryce Florie

Danny Jones

Charley Smith

Richard Wieters

2007 – 1955 Cannon Street YMCA All-Star Team

1990 Citadel World Series Team

Anthony Jenkins

Modie Risher

2006 – Ty Cline

Mike Cook

Gary McJunkin

Chal Port

2005 – John Candelaria

2004 – David Cone

2003 – Willie Randolph

Gorman Thomas

The three new inductees will be honored prior to the RiverDogs’ Sunday, August 14 home game against the Lynchburg Hillcats at 4:30 p.m. before the 5:05 p.m. first pitch. In addition, they will have their names inscribed on the Hall of Fame list located on the main concourse of Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

This week, not much changed. The media voted again to see who the top 10 teams in each of the five SCHSL classifications are and largely, at least in the No. 1 spots, it remained the same from a week ago.

Hillcrest received one first-place vote in Class AAAAA, Spartanburg dropped out of the Top 10 in AAAAA surprisingly. And other teams shifted from last week's poll. In parentheses is the amount of No. 1 votes a team received. If a team moved in to a ranking, up or down, it is noted below. Teams that are ranked the same as last week will not have anything next to their name.

Class AAAAA

1. Dutch Fork (19)

2. Byrnes

3. Hillcrest (1)

4. Dorman

5. Sumter (Last week: 6th)

6. Summerville (Last week: 8th)

7. River Bluff (Last week: 10th)

8. Fort Dorchester (Last week: 5th)

9. White Knoll (Last week: NR, receiving votes)

10. Lexington (Last week: NR, receiving votes)

Others receiving votes: Spartanburg, TL Hanna, Gaffney West Ashley, Clover JL Mann, Chapin

Game story: How four-star Mazeo Bennett, defense and QB play helped Greenville football soar past Mauldin

Class AAAA

1. South Pointe (17)

2. Northwestern (3)

3. AC Flora

4. South Florence

5. West Florence

6. Catawba Ridge (Last week: 7th)

7. Indian Land (Last week: 9th)

8. Hartsville (Last week: 6th)

9. James Island (Last week: 8th)

10. Ridge View

Others receiving votes: Westside, Irmo, Lancaster, Wilson, Greenville, York, Myrtle Beach

Class AAA

1. Daniel (19)

2. Dillon (1)

3. Powdersville

4. Clinton (Last week: 5th)

5. Gilbert (Last week: 6th)

6. Beaufort (Last week: 8th)

7. Camden (Last week: 4th)

8. Hanahan (Last week: 9th)

9. Belton-Honea Path (Last week: 10th)

10. Seneca (Last week: 7th)

Others receiving votes: Loris, Philip Simmons, Chester, Union County, Aynor, Manning, Marlboro County, Emerald, Woodruff

Class AA

1. Saluda (15)

2. Oceanside Collegiate (2, Last week: 4th)

3. Barnwell (3)

4. Abbeville (Last week: 2nd, two first-place votes)

5. Wade Hampton (Last week: 6th)

6. Buford (Last week: 7th)

7. Woodland (Last week: 8th)

8. Marion (Last week: 9th)

9. Gray Collegiate (Last week: NR, receiving votes)

10. Fairfield Central (Last week: 5th)

Others receiving votes: Andrews, Pelion, Lake Marion, Strom Thurmond, Academic Magnet, Andrew Jackson, Silver Bluff, Cheraw

Class A

1. St. Joseph’s (15)

2. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2, Last week: 3rd)

3. Johnsonville (1, Last week: 4th)

4. Whale Branch (Last week: 2nd)

5. Lewisville (1)

6. Christ Church

7. Lake View (1, Last week: 10th)

8. Baptist Hill

9. Southside Christian

10. Lamar (Last week: 7th)

Others receiving votes: Calhoun County, McBee, Latta, Estill, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Denmark-Olar

There were questions about the Philip Simmons High School quarterback position at the beginning of the 2022 football season. But Tavien Orellana has proven to be the answer.

Orellana completed 12 of 19 passing for 146 yards and a touchdown last Friday night to lead the Iron Horses to a 31-12 victory over Berkeley County rival Timberland on a rainy night. Game conditions were what W.C. Fields might describe as “not fit for man or beast.”

Orellana’s experience heading into the campaign was limited, although he completed all six passes he attempted last fall as a backup to four-year starter Tripp Williams, who owns all the major offensive records for a season and career.

“We had a coaches’ meeting and that was the consensus – Tavien is the answer,” Philip Simmons coach Eric Bendig said after his team gained its second victory in a row to improve to 3-1. “He does a good job. He’s a hard worker who puts his head down and gets the job done.”

Orellana, a 5-11 sophomore, has completed 36 of 60 passing for 516 yards and six touchdowns. He’s shown improvement every game and has the skills, energy and mindset to be a force for the Iron Horses.

But winning teams are balanced, and that’s part of the Iron Horses’ equation as they posted their 14th victory in their last 17 games. The Iron Horses were able to average 6.1 yards per carry against a Timberland defense, which has a history of shutting down teams. The

Iron Horses topped 200 yards rushing for the second straight game, finishing with 221 yards on 36 carries.

Junior running back Markellis “KJ” Asbury proved to be electric, carrying 12 times for 139 yards. He had a 53-yard touchdown run and finished with 12.6 yards per carry.

While Asbury was Mr. Outside, classmate Isaac Schimpf was Mr. Inside, finishing with 61 yards and a pair of short touchdown runs on 15 carries.

The offense has shown great balance in four games. Orellana has passed for 516 yards throwing only one interception. The running game has churned and burned foes for 843 yards as the offensive line continues to control the line of scrimmage.

The defense was dominant against a Wolves’ offense that has scored only 24 points this fall. Devontay McNeil led the Iron Horses with nine tackles, including six solo stops. He recorded a tackle for a loss. Defensive tackle Tyshawn Green tallied eight tackles, including four for a loss. Senior linebacker Chip Carlson also logged eight tackles.

The Iron Horses host Aynor this Friday. The Blue Jackets are 2-1.

Bishop England, meanwhile, dropped its third straight game after blanking Porter-Gaud in the season-opener. The Bishops were on the wrong end of a 23-0 decision against undefeated James Island, which has allowed only six points in four games.

James Island took a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back against the Bishops, who have scored only 17 points in their last three games.

The Bishops host Woodland on Friday. The Wolverines are 3-0.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - People who live on James Island are rallying together and encouraging an email campaign against a development off of Folly Road and Grimball Road Extension.

The development would build 68 townhomes, 5 workforce units and commercial space. It would also allow for filling in 0.23 acres of freshwater non-tidal forested wetlands.

Greg Payton lives on Donnie Road, right off of Grimball Extension. His family has lived in the home and community for more than 100 years. The proposed development would back up to his home. He says he is worried about a lot of things, including stormwater runoff and traffic.

“They want to fill in the wetlands, and they’re going to have to cut down some trees, so if it rains, where is the water going to go? It’s going to come on our families, it’s going to be in our backyards and we’re going to be flooded under,” Payton says.

He also has concerns about how the amount of people moving in would affect traffic and the livability of his neighborhood.

“I say each unit is two cars, that’s 140, where are they going?” Payton asks “People have to go to work in the morning, how long will it take for people to come down Grimball Road Extension?”

He says he wants to attend a public hearing about the plans.

“We want to make sure that if they are going to build something, that they do it correctly,” Payton says.

The applicant developers are requesting to fill a little less than a quarter of an acre of wetlands. That filling would not have “a substantial adverse impact,” according to an Army Corps of Engineers initial study. The study found the filling would have ‘no effect’ on any federally endangered or threatened species.

The applicant is asking to fill .2 acres to construct a commercial parking lot and the other .03 to install a stormwater drainage structure, according to a June 24th, 2022, Army Corps of Engineers’ notice.

The report says the applicant will preserve the remaining .75 acres of wetlands to compensate for any impacts.

The Army Corps of Engineers is taking comments on the project through Monday, July 11. Operators of the ‘Save James Island’ Facebook page are encouraging people who are opposed to sending an email reading in part:

“I oppose the filling of any wetlands (no matter how ‘small’)…this historic area is plagued by flooding and drainage issues, and the preservation of natural wetlands and trees are our best and least-costly defense. Pleas hold a public hearing so the Army Corps of Engineers has ALL of the information, including the voice of the people who live here.”

The applicant appeared before Charleston City Technical Review Committee in April and is working to resolve some of the comments before coming back with a revised plan for the development.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.