Medical University of SC to Host Hurricane Awareness Day

(CHARLESTON, S.C.) -- The Medical University of South Carolina is hosting its 14th annual Hurricane Awareness Day on Wednesday, according to The Post and Courier.

The event will feature a panel of experts from the American Red Cross and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who will help Lowcountry residents prepare for hurricane season.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1, and NOAA predicts that 2013 will be a bad year for hurricanes. They are expecting between 12 and 18 named storms, with 6 to 10 of them becoming strong enough to be hurricanes.

The event will be held in MUSC Horseshoe on Ashley Avenue in Charleston, S.C., and will start at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

Residents across the state are urged to be prepared for hurricane season.

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Holly Hill Crash Leaves Motorcyclist Dead

(HOLLY HILL, S.C.) -- A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Holly Hill on Sunday night.

The crash was reported around 10 p.m. on Coach Road. The South Carolina Highway Patrol says a car tried making a left turn and collided with a motorcycle, killing the person riding, according to published reports.

The name of the person killed was not immediately released.

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South Carolina Unemployment Rate at Eight Percent, Lowest in Five Years

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – The jobless rate in South Carolina fell to eight percent, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce said Friday.

That eight-percent jobless rate figure, down from 8.4 percent in March, is the lowest South Carolina has seen in five years. The state’s unemployment rate has been dropping almost twice as fast as the national average rate has, according to The State newspaper.

“South Carolina’s April unemployment rate is outstanding news as we continue along the road of economic recovery,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce administrator John Finan. “The 0.4 percent decrease from March marks the largest month-to-month drop since May 1987, and the number of South Carolinians finding work continues to increase each month.”

At least part of the drop in unemployment can be attributed to increased summer hiring to take advantage of the tourism season, though there is job growth in nearly every sector.

The State warns that South Carolina isn’t out of the woods yet, noting that many residents are facing under-employment, and since it has a decent exporting business the state is venerable to the worldwide economic slowdown.

Despite these concerns, officials are still pleased by the good news, and experts are predicting that the rate should continue to decrease.

“This drop in unemployment is yet another piece of great news for South Carolina. Our outstanding companies, our loyal and dedicated workforce, and our competitive business environment have our economy turning again,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

“There's no doubt that South Carolina is on the move, and we couldn't be more excited about the great things in store for our state.”

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Deputy Among Two Injured in West Ashley Crash

(WEST ASHLEY, S.C.) -- A Charleston County Sheriff's deputy was among two people injured in a vehicular crash in West Ashley on Sunday afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash was reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. in the area of Paul Cantrell Boulevard and Magwood Drive. South Carolina Highway Patrol officials said in published reports that the deputy was crossing Paul Cantrell Boulevard in a cruiser with lights and siren on, when an SUV crashed into the cruiser.

The deputy and the driver of the other vehicle were taken to area hospitals in unknown condition.

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Police Investigating Suspicious Death of Summerville Woman

(CHARLESTON, S.C.) -- Authorities are investigating the death of a 37-year-old woman from Summerville, S.C., which is being considered suspicious.

According to the Post and Courier, Tabetha Grooms, 31, fainted while intoxicated on April 28. Paramedics and sheriff's deputies responded to the woman's home at about 10 p.m. that night.

Grooms apparently had been drinking for a long period of time, when she complained of feeling ill. According to the Post and Courier, she had started a shower when she fell. Her husband found her unconscious and called 911.

Deputies reported finding blood in the bathroom, but Grooms had suffered no injury that would cause bleeding.

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