Roofer in Cottageville, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Grab a cup of hot chocolate and turn the Christmas tunes on the radio – there are several options for checking out Christmas lights beyond your neighborhood.

Enjoy a night with friends and family as you drive through bright shining lights on display in Moncks Corner, North Charleston, Cottageville, and the largest drive-thru holiday light event at James Island County Park.

Holiday Festival of Lights – James Island County Park871 Riverland Dr, Charleston

A trip to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is a Christmas-time tradition filled with thousands of dazzling lights and displays.

Guests are invited to drive along a three-mile stretch lined with more than 700 light displays each night through December 31. A stop at Winter Wonderland – about halfway through the drive – gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs and view the area’s largest holiday sand sculpture.

You can view shops, search for gifts, or enjoy sweet treats or a cup of hot chocolate. Hop on a train ride for a fun look at light displays or take a stroll through the Enchanted Walking Trail for a fun look at nature-themed light displays.

Santa Claus will meet children each night from November 21 – December 23. Plus, enjoy an array of large greeting cards decorated by students from across the Charleston area.

Ticket prices on a regular night will cost $15 per vehicle if purchased online at HolidayFestivalofLights.com or $20 at the gate. Peak night prices increase to $25 per vehicle online and $30 at the gate.

The 33rd Annual Holiday Festival of Lights is open every evening from November 11 through December 31 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

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The Lights at Park Circle4800 Park Circle, North Charleston

Pack up the car and take a drive or go for a relaxing stroll around North Charleston’s Park Circle to see dozens of Christmas light displays.

Trees, lights, and displays will be shining bright around the circle at the Felix C. Davis Community Center.

City leaders say the lights will shine until New Year’s Day. There is no fee to enjoy the lights.

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Bee City Zoo’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights1066 Holly Ridge Ln. Cottageville, SC 29435

On select nights in November and December, guests can enjoy a combination of animals and Christmas lights at Bee City Zoo’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights festival.

Santa Claus will make a special appearance during some nights of the event for a photo opportunity.

Those attending can also attend an ‘Australian Walkabout’ which is included in the price of admission. And for some additional costs, you can enjoy roasting s’mores, ornament decorating, grabbing a cup of hot chocolate, or feeding animals during the festival.

Admission is $12 or you can purchase a combo pass which includes day access to the zoo and entry to the lights at $20. Click here to learn more.

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Holiday Lights Driving Tour – Old Santee Canal Park900 Stoney Landing Rd, Moncks Corner

Celebrate the season with family and friends on a driving tour filled with sparkling Christmas lights and displays at Old Santee Canal Park powered by Santee Cooper.

The event runs each night from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. from November 25 – December 30. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Admission to the event is $5 per vehicle. Proceeds benefit local charities.

Guests will enter the Holiday Lights Driving Tour at 1 Riverwood Drive in Moncks Corner.

“The beautiful LED lighting displays are powered by 100% Santee Cooper Green Power, which is Green-e Energy certified and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions,” organizers said.

Santee Cooper is also inviting guests to attend its two-night event ‘Holiday in the Park’ on November 24 and 25. You’ll have the chance to meet Santa Claus, enjoy crafts, roast marshmallows, and sample some seasonal foods.

“This event is included with admission to Holiday Lights Driving Tour, which runs through Dec. 30, so you can start your holiday season early at this fun-filled meetup,” said organizers.

To learn more or purchase tickets online, please click here.

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Cougar Night Lights – The College of CharlestonNear the corner of George and St. Philip Streets

A holiday tradition that brings a fun and dazzling light show to the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard and Randolph Hall will light up with the spirit of the season each night, offering a holiday light show featuring festive music and visual performances each half-hour from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

The display will be open to the public beginning December 1 through January 2. It is free to view and this year’s show will include new music and lighting displays.

Visitors can find the Cistern Yard at the corner of George and St. Philip Streets. Public parking garages are available at two nearby locations – the George Street Garage and the St. Philip Street Garage.

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Did we miss something? Email us with details about a local Christmas light show.

COTTAGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A problem with a septic tank may force a small business in Colleton County to close its doors for good.

David Stanfield and his wife opened Red Brick Pizza in Cottageville a few years ago. But they may have to close their business after South Carolina’s lead health agency, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said their septic system is not fit for the job.

“Almost two years ago we started, and almost immediately DHEC jumped on my back,” said Stanfield. “In March of last year, we started takeout only, but in March I contacted them about opening a 12-person dining room. They said yes, you can open it.”

A month later, Stanfield said he was told that could not have a dining room.

“I asked them about the tables out front – I had four picnic tables out front – they said you can have all the picnic tables you want, so we built a patio which has a bunch of outside tables. And then five months later, during another inspection, and we’ve gone through eight in one year, during another inspection they said you can’t have these outside tables. I said, well, you told us we could.”

DHEC told Stanfield that his septic tank was too small, and he was given a ‘shut door’ order.

“Two months ago, I went before the council- I begged them, I said my septic system has never overflowed, it’s never had a problem, and they said you have 60 days to put this monstrosity in back here.”

His customers were outside protesting on Tuesday while raising money to help keep them in business.

Stanfield began installing the large septic system. He says he has now spent $51,000 on the project. But his business only makes about $800-$1,000 on a good week. So, he believes he will now have to just shut down.

Stanfield eventually put a water meter on his property after a suggestion from a neighbor to see how much water was being used each day.

“Our water meter shows that we use 350 gallons per night, my existing system will do 450 gallons and they’ve got me putting in the system it will do 1,500 gallons per night which is just crazy. They’ve bankrupted me. They’ve taken every dime that we have, and we don’t even have money to open for food this week.”

DHEC sent News 2 a statement saying Stanfield was not in compliance with his DHEC permit when he moved from take-out only to restaurant seating.

“Mr. Stanfield did not dispute the grounds for suspension but requested the suspension be rescinded because he was diligently working on gaining compliance with DHEC regulations,” the statement said. “Failure to install the upgraded system would not lead to closure of the facility but would result in the return to the original food service operation as approved and permitted by DHEC.”

“I don’t understand this because, you know, America is known for if you put everything into – whatever your dream is – you can get it accomplished and they are burying us alive,” said Heike Stanfield, Co-Owner, Red Brick Pizza.

Stanfield said they were last open on Saturday. But unless a miracle happens, he believes they may not be able to re-open again.

The matter was discussed during a DHEC board meeting on May 5, 2022 with the restaurant’s owner in attendance – a motion was made about two hours and thirty-three minutes into the meeting, following an executive session. You can watch that hearing by clicking here.

A South Carolina highway trooper was arrested and charged with cruelty to children after he allegedly bit a 2-year-old’s cheek hard enough to leave a mark, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

SLED announced the arrest in a statement Tuesday. While the warrant provides few details, it states that Jesse Brassell, 23, admitted on Sept. 20 that he intentionally bit the child’s cheek in Cottageville, South Carolina.

In a statement, SLED said the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office asked it to investigate the incident. The child, whose name and gender are not included in the warrant, suffered a bite mark on the right cheek, according to the warrant.

Brassell was employed by the Highway Patrol for approximately 27 months, according to a statement from the Department of Public Safety, which oversees highway patrol.

“He had been under suspension without pay since September 22, 2023, the date the allegation was brought to our attention,” according to a statement from the department. Brassell, who held the rank of trooper first class, officially resigned from the agency on Dec. 15, 2023.

During his time as a highway patrolman, Brassell was assigned to Post B of Troop 6, which covers Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper counties. A roster for a basic training graduating class released by the Highway Patrol listed his hometown as Summerville, South Carolina.

Brassell was charged under South Carolina’s cruelty to children statute. Under the law, it is a misdemeanor for a parent, guardian or anyone who has “charge or custody” of a child to inflict “unnecessary pain or suffering” or to deprive the child of “necessary sustenance or shelter.”

Brassell was booked at the Colleton County Detention Center. Records from the jail state that he received a $200 bond by Associate Chief Magistrate Sophia T. Henderson.

The case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office Public Integrity Unit, according to SLED. The unit, which is a collaboration between the 14th and 1st Circuit Solicitor’s Offices, investigates officer involved shootings, public corruption and other use of force cases across both circuits.

Cottageville residents have seen change in their community in the last few years, and now the Greater Cottageville Chamber of Commerce is ready to encourage more improvements.

Frank Santorella, a resident of Cottageville, said he is proud of the small town and wants to showcase its beauty, friendly people, and excellent location.

“We want to create a chamber of commerce here. We already have a 501-3C non-profit status, Maryann Blake is serving as our attorney, and we are ready to roll,” said Santorella. “We have ‘Friends of the Park’ which is comprised of people who helped develop the park into what it is now.” He says there are also plans at the park to install a memorial with engraved bricks to honor veterans. This will be accomplished by applying for grants and accepting donations.

Santorella, who plans to initiate the chamber, will serve as a temporary director. He says he already has seven merchants who are interested in joining.

“We want to make Cottageville a destination. Red Brick Pizza and Beer Garden is the anchor store for starting the chamber,” said Santorella. “It’s a one-of-a-kind business in the entire region. Once the chamber officially opens, we want to pick a member of the chamber and promote that business each week, and once a month promote everyone. There will be a rotation, and this will be good for everybody.”

He went on to say that the brick-and-mortar stores are the life of Cottageville, not the transient businesses. He feels that transient businesses will not want to invest their funds in the chamber, but the stationary businesses are here to stay.

“I think the people of Cottageville will be positively affected by the chamber and will accept it with open arms. Hopefully, this will bring even more businesses our way. Our only option now is to travel to Summerville or Walterboro to purchase some items. That’s between 15 to 20 miles away. Cottageville has a lot of people in the rural areas, and though our local gas stations try hard to serve the needs of the community, it would be nice to have boutique shops here. We already have a new vape store that has a coffee bar. So we are starting off well,” said Santorella.

He is hoping to have the new chamber up and running by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

“There will be a fee for stores to become part of the chamber,” said Santorella, who gathered ideas and patterned the Cottageville chamber after the City of Walteboro’s. “I received ideas on how to structure the fees. They won’t be impressive because social media provides a lot of free advertising. We will have a website and newsletter for the community. We will be out there,” he added.

Anyone interested in joining the new chamber can write to: Greater Cottageville Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 464, Cottageville, SC, 29435. Businesses can also contact Santorella on Facebook at Friends of the Park or call The Vape Stop at 843-701-4262.

COTTAGEVILLE, SC (WCSC) – A day after resigning as the mayor of Cottageville, George White explained his decision Thursday.

"When I got in there I knew I had a fight on my hands," White said.

And after almost four years in office, White has called it quits.

"It's time for someone else to come up with some solutions," White said. "I presented everything I could."

White said when he first took office, traffic tickets were missing, seized money and drugs were gone and the town was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.

He worked out a payment plan with the state treasurer's office and tried to find new ways to make money.

"I've tried to get a development agreement through,l a zoning ordinance through, and I've just been met with resistance," White said.

White cut his salary from $400 dollars a month to $20 dollars a month and cut council members to $10 dollars a month. Meanwhile, White said his family had to deal with dirty political smears.

"Personal attacks, articles in the newspaper just berating me," White explained. "They came out with a supposed affair between a former clerk and myself and mismanagement of funds for trips."

This January, when the new council was seated, White said bad turned worse.

"I've been dealing with this council for nine months and we've done nothing but fire our town clerk in nine months," White said.

He said the council's response to his ideas was usually "no comment," and the last straw was when a proposal for a new grocery store and two green industries was denied.

"They just do not want to accept new growth in Cottageville," White said.

Without growth and revenue the town could die and White said that is the council's plan.

"In fact, the mayor that's seated now signed a petition to do away with Cottageville," White said. "If you're on the inside it's a whole lot easier to get your agenda met."

While White was mayor he says his business suffered and so did his family. So now he is done.

"I pretty much threw up my hands," White said. "I knew we were not going forward."

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