Sammy Fretwell
The State Newspaper
Columbia, SC, United States
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Past articles by Sammy:
Endangered birds on your land? Tiny woodpeckers causing big stir in South Carolina
President Donald Trump’s administration is considering dropping a tiny bird from the nation’s list of most endangered species. Red-cockaded woodpeckers are rebounding, but not enough, experts say → Read More
An ex-con is going back to prison after police say they found him with a gun
A Columbia man who had been released from federal prison is going back because he was found carrying a gun, authorities say. Felons aren’t allowed to have firearms. He was arrested in the Lorick Circle area → Read More
Government recipe for atomic bomb? Ingredients made in South Carolina
The U.S. Department of Energy held a forum Thursday night in North Augusta to discuss plans for a new plutonium pit factory at the Savannah River Site. Opponents of the plan say making pits is dangerous. → Read More
Billions of dollars in gold sparks mine expansion, promise of 250 jobs near SC town
A big gold mine is going to get bigger and deeper. And it’s going to add several hundred jobs in the search for gold in southern Lancaster County. The Haile Gold Mine is expanding. → Read More
SC’s $2 billion problem: Pipes like ‘tissue paper’ threaten public health
Pipes “like tissue paper’’ are among the problems facing small, cash-strapped water systems. One legislator wants the state to take over failing utilities to protect customers from gulping polluted water. → Read More
$20 billion for seawalls? Study says walls would protect SC from rising sea levels
South Carolina can protect itself from sea level rise by spending $20 billion in the next two decades on seawalls that would cover the entire coast, a new report says. Or the state could move development back. → Read More
He illegally traded rare turtles to make money. Now, he’s suffering the consequences.
A New Jersey wildlife trader went to court Monday. He avoided jail time for his role in an international turtle smuggling scheme involving traders in South Carolina, Hong Kong and New York. → Read More
Atomic bomb factory could produce more than 1,000 jobs for SC. But how safe is it?
A plutonium pit factory would produce more than 1,000 jobs at the Savannah River Site. But anti-nuclear activists say the plant is too dangerous and costly to justify → Read More
‘Big mystery.’ Unusual Fort Jackson fire death has biologist’s family asking ‘Why?’
The family of a biologist who died during a prescribed fire at Fort Jackson wants answers. Investigating agencies are trying to determine whether fire equipment she was using malfunctioned, family members say. → Read More
Utility steps up threat to sue unhappy customer. She says she’s telling the truth
The Jenkinsville Water Co. has stepped up its threats to sue a customer who complained about the company’s drinking water. The system has demanded that a Fairfield County councilwoman retract her complaints. → Read More
Feds offer to speed cleanup of SC’s deadly nuclear waste. But there’s a catch
The U.S. Department of Energy says it can get rid of toxic nuclear waste quicker at the Savannah River Site by changing what it’s called. But critics say the plan only pushes SC’s problem to other states → Read More
Charleston freeway project lurches forward. But does it come at Columbia’s expense?
A long delayed freeway that has tied up more than $400 million in state road money got limited approval Tuesday. But it could be years before the I -526 extension is built in Charleston - if ever. → Read More
Is a new freeway needed in Charleston? Lawsuit seeks to stop controversial highway
Conservationists sued Monday to stop the extension of Interstate 526 in Charleston County.They say the road isn’t needed. Others say the state should spend the money elsewhere in South Carolina. → Read More
Who’s running SC’s oldest conservation group? A former student who worked her way up
South Carolina’s oldest conservation group is getting a new director. Sara Green replaces Ben Gregg as director of the S.C. Wildlife Federation. Green will run an organization whose mission is to protect wildlife. → Read More
SC wildlife agency chief in trouble with governor, regulators over seawalls near home
The state Department of Natural Resources board chief recently ran into trouble with Gov. Henry McMaster for lobbying against the governor on seawalls. Regulators say he built a seawall at his beach house. → Read More
Does Lake Murray need another beach? SC ‘jewel’ has limited beach access
Lake Murray is a top spot for recreation in the Columbia area. But unless you own property there or have a boat, gaining access is tough. Lake Murray ranks low among SC lakes for public beaches. → Read More
Civilian who died at Fort Jackson during controlled burn identified
Fort Jackson officials identified a civilian who died. Angela N. Hawkins, 45, died at a controlled burn operation at Fort Jackson. She was a civilian wildlife biologist at the base. An investigation is ongoing. → Read More
Where’s the beach? McMaster vetoes plan to help wealthy property owners build seawall
Gov. Henry McMaster isn’t going along with an 11th hour plan to help wealthy property owners build a seawall on an eroding beach. He vetoed a bill to exempt property owners from the state’s seawall ban. → Read More
Congaree Creek dam will crumble. Feds say removing the dam is good for fish, paddlers
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing a dam from Congaree Creek near Cayce. The dam removal should let fish move more freely in the creek and make kayaking and canoeing easier. → Read More
SC town’s water system is failing. Bernie Sanders says he can help
The city of Denmark has again failed an inspection of its drinking water system after years of complaints by citizens. Now, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders plans to hold a town hall meeting there. → Read More