South Carolina Afternoon Headlines

This is South Carolina Public Radio. Good afternoon. I'm Louis Alfredo Garcia with your statewide afternoon headlines. It's election day in the U.S. Senate's Special Republican primary election, South Carolina voters can decide among 10 candidates... all vying for the GOP nomination and a chance to face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election. The special election was called after Lindsey Graham's death. He had won the initial June 9th primary election for potential re-election to the position. In Richland County, GOP voters have all sorts of reasons in choosing their preferred candidate. Trenum Park is where voters in about seven precincts have to cast a ballot. It's in the city of Forest Acres. Lila and Briggs voted there Tuesday morning. She's a religious woman, and she says no matter who ends up winning, she'll pray to help them succeed. But she particularly values candidates who stand against abortion. She's lived in the Columbia area for about 50 years, but Briggs grew up in Rock Hill. She even went to high school with candidate U.S. Representative Ralph Norman, That's who she voted for. He will, can lead us in the right direction, and he has the same beliefs that I do. 74-year-old Mark Johnson voted shortly after Briggs. He said he valued a candidate who put the needs of South Carolinians in front of other influences. Putting the voters of South Carolina first, yes. We're the people of South Carolina, but obviously you should vote if you want to be properly represented. He didn't want to vote for a career politician, but his candidate of choice is related to a longtime politician. Surprisingly, uh, Darlene Graham. Voters have until 7 p.m. to join polling location lines. South Carolina Public Radio and ETV will provide live election night coverage from 8 to 9 p.m. Public Affairs reporter Gavin Jackson will host the night. You can watch at sceptv.org slash elections on the SCETV news YouTube page or listen on South Carolina Public Radio. Charleston County is seeing fewer voters at the polls. Jada Washington reports. The special Republican Senate primary election commenced today following the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham to fill his seat. In Charleston County officials say they've seen a low and more quiet turnout at polling locations going back to last week. According to SC votes, about 2,100 people voted early or absentee in Charleston County through last week. Matt Delane is the marketing and communications manager for Charleston elections. He says there are some confounding factors that explain voter turnout. This election also happens to coincide with the first day of school for Charleston County. So when we found that out, we did have to consolidate some polling locations. And, you know, we work quickly to try to identify locations that were suitable alternatives or combined precincts if needed.

He says election day in Charleston County has been smooth and without any issues. Delane says early voting and absentee ballots will be counted first as they are already at the voting headquarters in the county. As the night goes on, votes will come in as clerks from all polling locations in the county drive back. Jada, Washington, South Carolina Public Radio. A church in Polly's Island announced late Monday that its church operated school will close after it was discovered that a convicted sex offender had worked at the... the school as a custodian. Pauley's Island Community Church decided to formally end the Pauley's Island Christian Academy, which was run for 25 years. Four employees, including a former pastor and former school director, were arrested last month and accused of putting children at risk, and several lawsuits have been filed against the church and church leaders. The church says in a statement that the decision is, quote, in the best interest of the community and church, unquote, and according to church leaders, it will look to review all ministry policies and consider different ways to use the school building. A battery charging and power supply solutions producer announced on Tuesday that Charleston County will be home to its first major production operation in North America. IEB Americas will invest $1.5 million into the operation. It's a subsidiary of a manufacturer headquartered in Germany. The North Charleston facility will host the producer's American production and warehousing. It'll also be where products for the market will be tested. The investment is expected to create 30 new jobs in the area. And Aiken City Council has unanimously voted to raise the hospitality tax to 2%. Jada, Washington reports. On Monday, the Aiken City Council amended the city code to up the local hospitality tax from 1% to 2%. The taxes on the sales of prepared meals and beverages sold in establishments within the city. City officials say the majority of the money generated will go towards parks and recreation facilities. A portion of the money will be used to finance a parking deck downtown. Kay Beerman Brawl is a city council member. She says this is an important investment into the city that residents will not pay the majority of. A hospitality tax shifts a major portion of the financial responsibility onto the visitors. Tourists. commuters, and those who eat and shop in Aiken. These individuals use our roads, our parks, and our infrastructure every day. And this tax allows them to help pay for the wear and tear on those specific items. At the prior council meeting, business owners collected more than 500 public signatures in opposition to the tax increase. There were no speakers during Monday's public comments. The 2% tax will go into effect October 1st. Jada Washington's South Carolina Public Radio. And those were your statewide afternoon headlines from South Carolina Public Radio. I'm Louis Alfredo Garcia.