Wedding & Event Venue Near Orangeburg, SC.

Surgeon Lucius Craig, M.D., chief of the medical staff at what was the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, is happy that it’s now part of MUSC Health. “This is going to improve care in this area for today and for our children's grandchildren, in this area. That is amazing, and we're all a part of that,” Craig said at a ceremony marking the occasion.

“This is a part of history. Local and county officials, and also the state legislators, saw the importance of the role that this hospital plays in the delivery of care in this area and in South Carolina. To that effect, we explored options for an affiliation with a larger health care system. Ultimately, we determined that MUSC will be the most beneficial option.”

The Regional Medical Center and MUSC Health reached a long-term lease and operations agreement, announced on March 1. The goal is to improve research and access to health care in rural areas and communities that don’t have enough medical options. MUSC Health will run not only the Orangeburg hospital but also an Emergency Department in Barnwell and clinics serving patients in Orangeburg, Calhoun and Bamberg counties.

Many speakers at the celebration credited the deal to the efforts of state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter. She’d been worried about the hospital’s financial well-being and future and was thrilled to see it join MUSC Health.

“Do y'all know that less than 10 months ago, this proviso, y'all, was inserted into the state budget, suggesting to MUSC that they create this partnership? And Lord, here we are less than a year later,” Cobb-Hunter told the crowd gathered in a tent on the Orangeburg hospital’s campus.

The partnership was also welcome news to James Lemon, D.M.D., chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Medical University of South Carolina, for personal reasons. “My hometown Barnwell, South Carolina, is 35 miles from here. So this area is very close to my heart. I've been treated in this hospital. It is close to many of you today, and this is a momentous occasion for those of us who have lived here and live here,” he said.

“We have a higher purpose as our state's only comprehensive academic health system. It's a great privilege, duty and responsibility to the citizens of South Carolina to deliver outstanding – outstanding – health care, educate future health care providers, and through research, we must help increase and improve the health and wellness of our entire state.”

A fellow MUSC Board of Trustees member, Barbara Johnson-Williams, spoke as well. She lives in Orangeburg, sometimes called “the Garden City.” It’s home to between 12,000 and 13,000 people and has two well-known college campuses: Claflin University and South Carolina State University as well as Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

“This community deserves respect, compassion, collaboration, integrity and innovation. And at its core, these values are what drive MUSC forward and make necessary advances, changes and improvement in local care delivery,” she said.

“I'm thrilled that as a result of this new relationship, our community is going to have health care, as it's so richly deserved, right here in our backyard with an unprecedented level of connectivity to the highest specialized care that MUSC is known for.”

State Rep. Russell Ott was equally jubilant, calling the event a historic celebration. State Sen. Vernon Stephens drove the point home, praising the fact that rural health care is improving in quality and becoming more accessible and affordable.

“When you look at the Regional Medical Center and where we were and where we should have been and where we are going, you can only say, ‘Thank God,’ for he has truly smiled down upon us. And it is our day; it is our day to be excited about living in rural South Carolina,” Stephens said.

MUSC President David Cole, M.D., emphasized the value of having good care close to home. “We know that strong health care facilities are often at the heart of a community's long-term success. My belief is together we'll be able to ensure the health care and well-being of this community and be an asset for the economic growth and the economic future. I have high confidence that we will succeed as we continue to move forward. This new relationship today is a key first step.”

MUSC Health CEO Patrick Cawley, M.D., described what the relationship will mean for the Orangeburg hospital and its affiliated clinics. “First, we're going to recruit more physicians, more nurses, more allied health workers to meet specific community needs most effectively. Second of all, we'll develop and apply best practices to improve care delivery and to decrease health disparities. Third of all, we'll look at implementing and expanding telehealth services and use technology to enhance quality, safety and access to care,” Cawley said.

“It also means offering health care providers and clinical staff training and skilled development opportunities. It also means establishing future graduate medical education opportunities, which is important for MUSC.”

Cole later toured the Orangeburg hospital with chief operating officer Sabrina Robinson. She said she’s excited about the changes coming to her campus. One key change sprang to mind. “Access. Access for our patients, bringing them back home. Bringing our employees back home. Employees and patients both leave the market. So we’ll be able to care for them here.”

Employees on hand for the celebration enjoyed snacks and got MUSC Health bags and other gifts to mark their new affiliation. That included certified nursing assistant Rosalind Curry. “I think it’s going to be an awesome time. I think it’s going to be really good,” she said.

Crystal Frazier, an onboarding coordinator in Human Resources, said the agreement means new ways of working. “I like it. It’s so different from what we had. The programs, the process of onboarding and orientation. Systems also.”

Craig, the surgeon who led the celebration, said the new ways are welcome. “This is a win-win for this community and also for MUSC.”

First patients arrive at MUSC Health Black River Medical Center in rural Williamsburg County, grateful for high-tech hospital close to home.

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Milestone Achievement to Service Leading Pet Retail Franchise Brands, Create Hundreds of Jobs in the Community

ORANGEBURG, S.C., May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet Supplies Plus, the nation's leading, full-service pet retail company, celebrated the grand opening of their state-of-the-art distribution center on Friday, May 19. Located at 122 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in Orangeburg, the new center is a milestone achievement for the franchise company and for South Carolina. Present at the grand opening celebration were: Chris Rowland, President and CEO of Pet Supplies Plus; Johnnie Wright, Sr., Chairman of the Orangeburg City Council; Kenneth Middleton, Chairman of the Orangeburg County Development Commission, among others. The grand opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks from Rowland and Wright, and had more than 100 people in attendance.

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The new 534,700 square-foot distribution center is part of the company's $54 million investment that was announced last summer, further expanding its distribution capabilities across the Southeast. With over 700 store locations across 42 states combined, the new distribution center will service Pet Supplies Plus stores as well as its recently acquired company, Wag N' Wash stores.

"Opening our fourth distribution center in the U.S. is a pivotal moment for our brand, and one our team and the community of Orangeburg alike is thrilled about," said Chris Rowland, President and CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. "While we grow on a national scale, we prioritize being engrained in each community we're a part of. This will remain evident with the distribution center as we provide hundreds of jobs to those in South Carolina."

As Pet Supplies Plus continues to grow at rapid rates across the country, the distribution center will fill a crucial role in fulfilling consumer's needs in stores. While a pivotal growth point for the franchise, Orangeburg County and South Carolina overall will also reap benefits. Once fully staffed, the distribution center will create more than 275 full and part-time jobs. For those interested in learning about career opportunities at Pet Supplies Plus, visit https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/about-us/careers.

"We are excited to celebrate the newest addition to Orangeburg County with the grand opening of the Pet Supplies Plus distribution center," added Johnnie Wright, Sr., Chairman of the Orangeburg City Council. "We are grateful to Pet Supplies Plus for selecting our community and the Shamrock Commerce Park for their newest distribution center and for creating great employment opportunities for our citizens. We look forward to having the brand become a part of our community."

Founded in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus, a subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc., is the largest independent pet store in the United States, offering customers a wide selection of natural pet foods, goods and services. Located in 42 states, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash have over 700 retail stores across the country.

About Pet Supplies Plus

Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Our shelves are stocked with the right products, including a wide selection of natural and made in the USA products. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop with us in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation's largest independent pet store with nearly 700 locations in 42 states and counting, we make shopping local simple. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.

About Wag N' WashWag N' Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming, a full-line dog grooming and self-wash specialty retail destination, has a mission to recognize, promote and foster the positive impact that companion pets and their humans have on each other. Wag N' Wash provides full-service grooming, self-wash facilities, baked dog treats, natural food, supplements, and toys. In 2020, Wag N' Wash was ranked on Denver Business Journal's Colorado-Based Franchisors List, Franchise Times Top 200+ List and Included on Franchise Gator's Top 100 Franchisees List for the third year. Today, there are 25 Wag N' Wash locations open across the nation. To learn more about Wag N' Wash, please visit https://www.wagnwashfranchising.com/.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

Media Contact: Marisa Beaumont, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or mbeaumont@fishmanpr.com

SOURCE Pet Supplies Plus

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - New details following a plane crash out of Orangeburg County show what a man witnessed moments before the aircraft went down.

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was a “Beechcraft Bonanza 35″ that crashed in a field behind Bethel Fellowship church before catching fire and killing the pilot.

The pilot declared an emergency engine failure before the accident, the FAA said.

“I saw it fly right above me,” said Jessie Apple who was working in his shed outside when he saw the plane just seconds before it crashed, “I noticed it was pretty low, but I didn’t think much of it.”

The crash happened Saturday morning, according to the FAA.

Investigators said the aircraft took off from Lowcountry Regional Airport in Walterboro and was heading to Jim Hamilton – LB Owens Airport in Columbia.

“I just wished that it wouldn’t have ended that way. I wish it would’ve ended safer. I don’t know if anyone could’ve helped, but it is scary that it could’ve hit anyone around here,” said Apple.

The accident happened 11 miles away from the Orangeburg Municipal Airport. Apple said where his home is located it’s not unusual to see planes flying over his house.

“Yeah, I see the military jets all the time and with the airport, but I mean this wasn’t an airline. I noticed that,” said Apple.

Investigators were on the scene Saturday night looking for surveillance footage, collecting witness statements, and documenting the accident site.

Because that plane caught fire, Orangeburg County Coroner Samuetta Marshall said they will not identify the victim just yet. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the preliminary report, which will detail the facts and circumstances of the accident, is expected in 2-3 weeks.

The final report, including the probable cause and any contributing factors, is scheduled for 12-24 months.

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ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - As the Midlands begins to prepare for Hurricane Idalia, Orangeburg County officials are advising people living in the area to prepare for the worst.

The First Alert Weather team says Orangeburg County can see up to three to six inches of rain along with strong wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour between Wednesday and Thursday.

Many roads in the City of Orangeburg and the county are known to flood. Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young says that the county is putting the pieces together to be ready to go once the storm arrives.

“Orangeburg County is opening up our emergency services operations where we have our people in there staffed. We’re having calls with different groups like the school districts, the city and the county, utility providers, and things of that nature and we’re putting together to make sure that we can have things in place that we need to for the storms,” says Young.

Business Owner Rudy Bonaparte has been a local barber for 20 plus years at 2 da Bone Barbershop and is not looking to slow down once Hurricane Idalia makes impact.

“We’re gonna come in early for the hurricane but we’re not closing. Only how we’re closing is if the lights go off, cause we’re gonna cut hair in rain, sleet, or snow,” said Bonaparte.

Nearby universities such as Claflin University are also taking precautions against the storm by advising students to stay safe and be prepared.

" Here at Claflin University, we are continuously monitoring the storm, said Claflin’s Executive Director of Public Safety Melvin Williams. “We have been since Saturday. We’re participating in all of the emergency management meetings that are being held and we’re providing information to our campus community,” said Claflin University’s

Executive Director of Public Safety Melvin Williams.

Other universities such as South Carolina State University plans to dismiss classes at noon on Wednesday in preparation for the storm.

Harold Taylor also says that the town of Holly Hill is in the process of deploying sandbags for the preparation of the storm as well

People who live in the Town of Holly Hill area can pick up sandbags at the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

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Clemson Rural Health continues to expand health care services to South Carolinians with the opening of a new clinic in Orangeburg. The Clemson Health Clinic at Orangeburg (CHC-O) is the third Clemson-run clinic to open and will provide life-saving services in a largely underserved part of the state, both through fixed health care facilities and mobile health units.

Elected and appointed officials who attended a May 25 ribbon-cutting hailed the partnerships that made the clinic a reality and celebrated its opening as transformative.

Clemson Rural Health is part of the Clemson University College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and an extension of the University’s land-grant mission.

Clemson Rural Health has served the Lowcountry for over a decade through mobile health clinics but was restricted by travel distances from their home base in Walhalla. This new hub clinic, located at 1181 Hutto Street in Orangeburg, will allow Clemson to have a consistent and elevated impact on the health and well-being of Orangeburg, Bamberg, Barnwell and Calhoun counties.

The full-time, fully staffed primary care facility will provide in-person appointments, telehealth and remote patient monitoring along with two mobile health units for outreach into rural counties, and a highly qualified, multidisciplinary team to the community. Led by nurse practitioner, Donna Atkinson, a prominent certified diabetes care and education specialist in the region, the clinic will heavily focus on chronic disease prevention and management.

The May ribbon-cutting event included tours of the brick-and-mortar clinic and its brand-new mobile health units, free blood pressure checks, a healthy cooking demonstration and refreshments.

More information about the future of the CHC-O and Clemson Rural Health’s impact on the state of South Carolina can be found in the 2022 Fiscal Year Impact Report.

The Clemson Health Clinic at Orangeburg is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 803-516-4227. Learn more at clemsonruralhealth.org.

More information about the future of the CHC-W and Clemson Rural Health’s impact on the state of South Carolina can be found in the 2022 Fiscal Year Impact Report.