Annual support retreat planned by army widow
Army widow Shanette Booker is hosting an annual Military Widow Support Retreat, according to The State. The retreat serves as an opportunity for other widowed military women to interact and relax in a less structured environment.
The idea for the retreat was sparked four years ago. At that time, ten women came, but this year she anticipates there will be at least twenty women in attendance. Normally held at her home, Booker has opted to move the retreat to a hotel.
The women will gather Feb. 20 through 23, the weekend after Valentine’s Day. Booker hopes that her retreat will help her to help others and hopes that eventually, the get-together will turn into a nonprofit group so it can continue to grow.
— Lauren Shirley, News Editor
Trench collapse causes city worker death
A City of Columbia employee, Marvis Myers, died on a job site Friday, according to WIS-TV. Myers was working on a construction site of a new student-housing complex on Pulaski Street near College Street in the Vista. He was about 4 to 6 feet under ground, working on pipe repairs when there was a cave-in.
Emergency vehicles were called to the scene as co-workers attempted to dig Myers out of the ground. He was transported to Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead around noon, Richland County Corner Gary Watts said.
“Today, we all worked together to support each other, while also handling all of the necessary steps required during this type of incident,” City Manager Teresa Wilson said.
The incident is currently being investigated by OSHA.
— Lauren Shirley, News Editor
Legislators considering increasing teacher salaries
South Carolina legislatures are considering increasing teacher salaries as an incentive to keep young teachers in the professor as well as to strengthen relationships with older teachers who may be approaching the end of their career. According to the Associated Press, the Department of Education is researching this salary increase.
Currently, in South Carolina, teachers are paid based on their degree and the amount of years of experience they have. A first-year teacher has a minimum salary of $29,600, but after 22 years of teaching that minimum is raised to $45,500.
According to AP, there is no increase in experience that is required after the 22-year mark.
— Lauren Shirley, News Editor