Wedding & Event Venue Near Hilton Head Island, SC.

In today's digital age, social media platforms enable people to bridge geographic distances and connect with their friends, family, and community, no matter where they are. According to a 2022 Gallup and Meta study, at least 1 in 3 people across seven countries, including the U.S., said they used social media to interact with others at least once a day in the past week.

While social media has its drawbacks—such as pulling attention away from other tasks or fostering a problematic comparison culture—it remains a vital tool for helping people stay connected.

A majority of students in grades 3 to 12 said social media helped them develop relationships, learn social skills, and make a positive impact in their community, according to a 2024 report from The Social Institute.

Spokeo compiled a ranking of the most socially connected counties in South Carolina using 2021 data from Facebook, based on a national analysis. County pairs were ranked by their social connectedness index, which measures the relative probability that two individuals across two locations are friends with each other on Facebook. The social connectedness index is a scaled value up to a billion. Larger indexes indicate a greater share of Facebook friends between county pairs.

#19. Kershaw County and Clarendon County

- Kershaw County population: 69,905

- Clarendon County population: 31,004

- Social connectedness index: 342,408

#18. York County and Lancaster County

- York County population: 298,320

- Lancaster County population: 108,215

- Social connectedness index: 804,856

#17. Laurens County and Greenville County

- Laurens County population: 68,873

- Greenville County population: 558,036

- Social connectedness index: 883,041

#16. Lexington County and Richland County

- Lexington County population: 309,528

- Richland County population: 425,138

- Social connectedness index: 902,881

#15. Pickens County and Oconee County

- Pickens County population: 135,495

- Oconee County population: 81,221

- Social connectedness index: 1,102,350

#14. Dorchester County and Berkeley County

- Dorchester County population: 169,833

- Berkeley County population: 255,217

- Social connectedness index: 1,360,237

#13. Cherokee County and Spartanburg County

- Cherokee County population: 56,714

- Spartanburg County population: 356,698

- Social connectedness index: 1,420,351

#12. Union County and Newberry County

- Union County population: 26,629

- Newberry County population: 38,825

- Social connectedness index: 1,944,620

#11. Colleton County and Bamberg County

- Colleton County population: 38,874

- Bamberg County population: 12,974

- Social connectedness index: 2,016,630

#10. Chester County and Fairfield County

- Chester County population: 32,226

- Fairfield County population: 20,422

- Social connectedness index: 3,928,722

#9. Hampton County and Jasper County

- Hampton County population: 18,122

- Jasper County population: 33,544

- Social connectedness index: 4,188,374

#8. Florence County and Darlington County

- Florence County population: 137,214

- Darlington County population: 62,416

- Social connectedness index: 4,550,880

#7. Sumter County and Lee County

- Sumter County population: 104,165

- Lee County population: 15,967

- Social connectedness index: 5,229,985

#6. Georgetown County and Williamsburg County

- Georgetown County population: 65,731

- Williamsburg County population: 29,891

- Social connectedness index: 5,407,029

#5. Saluda County and Edgefield County

- Saluda County population: 19,123

- Edgefield County population: 27,607

- Social connectedness index: 6,178,904

#4. Abbeville County and Greenwood County

- Abbeville County population: 24,434

- Greenwood County population: 69,460

- Social connectedness index: 7,079,551

#3. Orangeburg County and Calhoun County

- Orangeburg County population: 82,820

- Calhoun County population: 14,186

- Social connectedness index: 7,347,090

#2. Marion County and Dillon County

- Marion County population: 28,508

- Dillon County population: 27,698

- Social connectedness index: 9,951,240

#1. Allendale County and Barnwell County

- Allendale County population: 7,369

- Barnwell County population: 20,447

- Social connectedness index: 18,790,213

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kayla Zhu, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 46 states.

This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

© Stacker Media, LLC.

This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 7:07 AM.

For nearly two years, Beaufort County elected officers have been awaiting a spate of expected rulings from the state’s ethics commission on accusations of violations against the employees of the administrative team led, at the time, by County Administrator Eric Greenway.

Late October, the former Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper was the first employee to get word she has been cited for a pair of ethics violations that come with fines and raise questions about what’s to come next.

Understanding the context of this report is to recall the chaos that county’s leadership was in during the first seven months of 2023 prior to the termination of Greenway.

The South Carolina Ethics Commission recently investigated Loper in response to two separate complaints, ultimately finding multiple ethics violations. This inquiry is just one of several investigations against county leaders that may expose a pattern of alleged impropriety across county departments.

While the state’s ethics commission cited concerns over Loper’s authorization of payments to family members and reimbursement procedures, it issued a public reprimand and fine in one case and waived further proceedings in the other.

Fired in October 2023, Loper is facing accusations that include unauthorized payments to family members, misuse of county equipment and participation in an unapproved almost $800,000 playground purchase.

Loper, who served Beaufort County for over seven years, was hired to a similar role as the interim parks director in Rincon, Georgia, despite the ongoing scrutiny. Then-Rincon City Manager Jonathan Lynn supported her hiring, citing her transparency about the allegations and commitment to ethical governance. He acknowledged, however, that the ongoing ethics investigations could impact her permanent status with the city.

Lynn resigned from his position effective Sept. 3, citing personal reasons for his departure with a media outlet. Following his resignation, Robert Byrd was hired to fill the city manager role; when contacting City Hall regarding Byrd’s office, he was unavailable. An employee at Loper’s city line stated, “She is no longer here.”

At the heart of the complaints against Loper are two allegations: the first alleges she paid family members, including her sons, nearly $7,000 for services such as officiating sports games and cheer camp coaching. The second claim asserts she used county resources for personal property projects. Loper has responded publicly as a guest on former County Council Member Mike Covert’s podcast, Beaufort County’s House of Cards, defending the necessity and qualifications of her sons’ involvement due to challenges in finding other qualified staff for certain activities.

The first complaint, filed in October 2023, involved allegations that Loper authorized payments to her four sons, who worked as independent contractors for the Parks and Recreation department during her tenure. From 2020 to 2023, Loper approved multiple invoices for her sons’ work, with payments totaling over $6,600, according to the consent order. This included contracts and authorization for her son Dayton Loper to provide services for the county.

The Commission determined that Loper’s actions violated the state’s code of laws, specifically provisions prohibiting public employees from participating in decisions that economically benefit their family members, according to the consent order. In response, Loper acknowledged the violations in a consent order but stated she sought advice from Greenway, county legal and finance officials, who approved her actions due to staffing shortages.

The consent order also reads that the ethics commission acknowledged that there was no evidence to suggest Loper paid her sons’ above standard rates.

The ethics commission issued a public reprimand to Loper, citing five counts of ethics violations, and ordered her to pay a reduced civil penalty of $1,000 along with a $500 administrative fee.

In a second complaint, filed in May 2024, Loper faced allegations of improperly using county funds for personal expenses during a work conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2022. The complaint claimed she rented a house and a van with county funds for personal excursions, which included sightseeing, dining and visiting a rodeo.

The investigation revealed that Loper used a county-issued p-card to rent a house and van to accommodate five Beaufort County employees, resulting in savings compared to individual hotel bookings. The house rental cost $2,477.57 — about $1,770 less than the estimated cost for separate hotel rooms. Employees used the van for both conference-related and personal activities, with personal expenses shared among the group and no additional cost to the county, according to the decision and order.

While the ethics commission found no evidence of misuse of county funds for these activities, it did discover that Loper had authorized her own reimbursement for daily expenses after the conference, potentially violating ethics rules against self-authorization in transactions with personal financial interest. The commission found probable cause for this violation but waived further proceedings.

Loper’s case is only one in a wave of ethics complaints hitting the county. Former County Attorney Brittany Ward recently resigned amid unrelated scrutiny over a profitable land sale involving her family’s property, which was sold to Beaufort County at a significant gain. This sale has raised questions, as it took place while she held her official role.

Ward’s resignation comes alongside former County Attorney Thomas Keaveny’s retirement, which was also marked by controversies, including his involvement in hiring practices and consulting contracts with former employees. Keaveny’s tenure showed he had been demoted and later reinstated as county attorney shortly after criticism over a proposed ordinance to curb public speaking at council meetings.

The departure of two top county attorneys leaves the county in a leadership transition during a period marked by nine formal complaints against officials. The complaints are as follows:

To date, the ethics commission has only ruled on two of the complaints against Loper.

Efforts to reach Loper and current Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Alex Brown were unsuccessful.

This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 10:38 AM.

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November 05, 2024 11:29 PM

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An updated flood watch was issued by the NWS Charleston SC on Thursday at 11:59 a.m. The watch is for Inland Jasper as well as Candler, Bulloch, Effingham, Tattnall and Evans counties.

Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible for portions of southeast Georgia, including the following areas, Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans and Tattnall and southeast South Carolina, including the following area, Inland Jasper until 7 p.m. this evening.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas," comments the NWS. "You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Be prepared to protect life and property, especially in areas prone to flooding. If flooding develops, move to higher ground immediately. If driving, be prepared for flooded roadways and possible road closures."

This watch is in effect until 7 p.m.

In case you reside within a flood-prone area or are currently camping in a low-lying zone, it is crucial to promptly seek higher ground. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises. If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms with submerged electrical outlets or cords. Should you observe sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate immediately. Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters. Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.

During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Remember to never drive through water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most cars.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The top three contributors to hydroplaning are:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.

This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 6:06 AM.

On Thursday at 12:21 p.m. the NWS Charleston SC issued an updated flood advisory. The advisory is for Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, Tattnall and Jasper counties.

Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues for portions of southeast Georgia, including Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Tattnall and southeast South Carolina, including Jasper county counties until 1 p.m.

"Ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or imminent," describes the NWS. "Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads."

This advisory is in effect until 1 p.m.

In case you reside within a flood-prone area or are currently camping in a low-lying zone, it is crucial to promptly seek higher ground. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises. If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms with submerged electrical outlets or cords. Should you observe sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate immediately. Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters. Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.

During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, according to the NWS.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is primarily caused by three factors:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.

This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 4:11 AM.

On Saturday at 9:39 a.m. an updated flood warning was issued by the NWS Columbia SC.

Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues for Bamberg and Orangeburg counties until 11:45 a.m. Monday.

"Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall," explains the NWS. "Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown. Flooded roadways are nearly impossible to see at night. Avoid traveling in this area. Turn around, don't drown."

This warning is in effect until Monday at 11:45 a.m.

If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances. Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, get out. Stay out of water that may have electricity in it. Don't walk through flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.

During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is imperative to avoid driving through any water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, most cars can be swept away by just 12 inches of rushing water.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is primarily caused by three factors:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.

This story was originally published November 6, 2024, 10:54 PM.