Declaration signer's letter up for bid

When Thomas Lynch Jr. was called away from the South Carolina militia to replace his ailing father in the Continental Congress, his life -- and history -- was about to change. Read More

HICKS COLUMN: Cruise ship reports pose dual realities

So the Historic Charleston Foundation has this new study that says the economic benefit of cruise ships on the city is overrated. That's probably true, seeing as how the report notes that cruise passengers account for only 1 percent of Charleston's tourists, and some of them never even ge... Read More

HICKS COLUMN: Refreshing, politically incorrect voice of Fritz Hollings still needed in S.C.

His accent is unmistakable, his tongue as sharp as ever, his towering presence undiminished by age. Fritz Hollings still has it. Read More

HICKS COLUMN: Let people decide on town, city

So far, Billy Swails isn't getting very far with his quest for a more powerful Mount Pleasant mayor. As Prentiss Findlay reports, most Town Council types think things are working just fine as they are. That's true, it's always a great day in Mount Pleasant -- even if they could use a Costco. Read More

DHEC's incompetent exercise

Those folks at the Statehouse don't often find consensus -- sometimes they can't even agree on when to break for lunch. So it was extremely telling last week that both the House and Senate voted unanimously to strip the Department of Health and Environmental Control of its power to issue ... Read More

Krewe for a cause

Royal Bal Masque conjures Mardi Gras

They had the masks, the beads, the booze, the king and queen -- now all they need is a parade. The Krewe of Charleston brought a little taste of Mardi Gras to the Holy City Saturday night with its Royal Bal Masque at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium. Read More

HICKS COLUMN: A problem much worse than a slap

As it turns out, getting smacked by the sheriff was the least of Timothy Shawn McManus' problems on Monday. Earlier this week, Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon admitted he slapped a handcuffed McManus at the end of a 120 mph chase through Mount Pleasant and the Francis Marion National Forest. Read More

HICKS COLUMN: Red tape can't hold back tides

The problem with Folly Beach County Park isn't a lack of sand, it's an abundance of red tape. The beach isn't due for renourishment for another year, the storm that caused the problem didn't technically hit Folly, and the state and feds keep pointing fingers at each other. Read More

HICKS COLUMN: Haley still can't make voter ID case

You've got to watch out for those dead people voting. Particularly when they aren't really dead. It sure was convenient how Gov. Nikki Haley and her crew found 957 "potential" cases of voter fraud just days after the feds struck down the state's new voter ID law. Read More

HICKS COLUMN: Please let Crabpot show go on

The Crabpot Players have become something of a tradition out on Isle of Palms. The group sets up at the rec center a couple of times a year and puts on a show that sells out nearly every performance. Island kids play a lot of the parts, riding to rehearsal on their bikes or skateboards. Read More