Latest news with #Upstate
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Black bear spotted in Greenville. 450 sighted in Upstate in 2024, how to report a sighting
A black bear was twice spotted near downtown Greenville, according to several social media reports on June 19 and June 20. Rep. Chandra Dillard posted about the sighting on social media. "Everyone loves Greenville; even the bears," she wrote in her post. The bear was spotted in the Poe Mill, James St., Southern Side neighborhoods, according to her post. "Don't engage. Call SC DNR 1-800-922-5431," she advised. WYFF 4 reported that "a black bear was spotted twice in 24 hours near downtown Greenville." The first sighting occurred on the night of June 19 on 6th Avenue near the Poe Mill area, and the bear was spotted again on June 20 on James Street, according to WYFF. Black bears are roaming in the Upstate, and they're on the prowl for food. Last year, there were 450 black bear sightings in the region, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Sightings are on the rise due to increased human activity and development in bear habitat and the use of technology like doorbell cameras, which allow for more sightings to be captured. But is this reason to be worried about black bears? Not exactly. "Black bears are so timid today partly because they evolved alongside such powerful predators as saber-toothed cats, American lions, dire wolves and short-faced bears, all of which became extinct only about 12,000 years ago," said the North American Bear Center. "Black bears were the only one of these that could climb trees, so black bears survived by staying near trees and developing the attitude: run first and ask questions later. The timid ones passed on their genes to create the black bear of today." Here's what to know about black bears in the state. Black bears are omnivores that eat both plants and animals. Their diet generally consists of berries, nuts, insects, fish, and meat. Because black bears are opportunistic, they will devour anything that is readily available, including human food and garbage. The black bear diet is also highly dependent on season and location. Offensive black bear attacks are rare and usually occur in remote areas where bears come in contact with humans the least, per the North American Bear Center. "The 750,000 black bears of North America kill less than one person per year on average, while men 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone than a black bear," the center said. When a human is attacked by a black bear, it is typically a defensive reaction to the person being too close ― a situation that is easily avoidable. Injuries that occur are usually minor. Since most black bears in the wild today are timid, they are more likely to run away to a tree when frightened. "By contrast, startled grizzlies may charge and occasionally attack, making grizzlies over 20 times more dangerous than black bears," per the center. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, there has never been a fatality or even an attack attributed to a black bear in S.C. In the eastern U.S., only two human fatalities attributed to bears have occurred over the last 100 years. Current sustaining black bear populations exist in the mountains/upper Piedmont and northern coastal counties. Never feed or approach bears. Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Secure food, garbage and recycling. Food and food odors attract bears, so do not reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage. Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they are attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears. Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove bowls afterwards. Store pet food where bears cannot see or smell it. Clean and store grills, smokers. Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out. Alert neighbors to bear activity. See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share info on how to avoid bear conflicts. You can report a black bear sighting to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources by visiting this link, For black bear emergencies, call 911 or 1-800-922-5431. Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Black bear spotted in Greenville, SC: How to report a sighting in SC
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Upstate woman charged with Medicaid fraud
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – An Upstate woman was arrested Friday for reportedly committing fraud. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office has charged 29-year-old Lauren Makenzie Welborn, of Greenville, with obtaining property under false pretenses valued $10,000 or more and medical assistance provider fraud. A Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit investigation found that, between August 7, 2023, and September 12, 2024, Welborn allegedly submitted false claims for payment to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the state's Medicaid program. While employed as an early interventionist at PlayWorks, LLC, Welborn is accused of submitting fraudulent data sheets and electronic clinician notes, falsely claiming she provided services to fifteen Medicaid beneficiaries under the age of four. Officials said those claims resulted in $11,442.01 in losses to the Medicaid program. Welborn was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on June 13. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
SCDOT settles lawsuit over missing guardrail with family of teen killed in 2021 crash
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Parents of an Upstate teen killed in a 2021 crash have settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the South Carolina Department of Transportation over a missing guardrail which they claimed contributed to the crash. 16-year-old Kolson Elliott died April 27, 2021 when the car he was driving ran off of Drayton Road while trying to avoid a collision, down an embankment, and into Lawsons Fork Creek. The lawsuit stated that the bridge over Lawsons Fork Creek did not have guardrails to protect from a vehicle going down the embankment as required by South Carolina law. The suit also claimed that the SCDOT was aware for years prior to the crash that the bridge was not up to safety standards. Elliott was not seriously injured in the crash but drowned in the creek, the lawsuit went on to say. He was a 10th grade student and basketball player at Boiling Springs High School at the time of his death. According to court documents filed Tuesday, SCDOT will pay $350,000 the family of Kolson Elliott to settle the suit. Elliot's family previously received $750,000 as part of a separate wrongful death lawsuit settlement in 2022. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Upstate man arrested following overdose death
OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – An Upstate man was arrested Tuesday in relation to an overdose death reported in Oconee County. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office charged 35-year-old Akeem Olajuwon Chavezia Williams, of Central, with involuntary manslaughter following the overdose death of a 24-year-old Seneca man. On Sunday, March 30, deputies responded to a home on South Oak Pointe Drive near Lake Keowee after the victim was found dead in a room by a family member. Narcotics, including blue pressed pills, were also found in the room, according to the sheriff's office. Evidence gathered from the scene was sent to the sheriff's office for testing. It was determined by the Oconee County Coroner's Office that the deceased individual had fentanyl in his system. Other evidence obtained throughout the investigation identified Williams as a person of interest due to him supposedly selling the blue fentanyl pills to the victim on March 29. After consultations with the 10th Circuit Solicitor's Office, arrest warrants were obtained against Williams, according to deputies. He was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center, where he awaits bond. Deputies also charged the suspect with distribution of a controlled substance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clemson University to contract with MUSC Health for new student health center
Clemson University wants to contract with the Medical University of South Carolina hospital system for a new student health center on campus. (File photo by Getty Images) Clemson University wants to contract with the Medical University of South Carolina hospital system to build and run a new student health center on campus. A legislative oversight committee gave the initial nod Tuesday to the $73 million project, which the Upstate college says will help hold down student health care costs and replace its aging facility. The project still needs approval next week from a five-member financial oversight panel chaired by the governor. It could mark MUSC's second such arrangement at a South Carolina college and the first outside of Charleston. The proposal is modeled after MUSC's relationship at The Citadel, according to documents provided to the Joint Bond Review Committee. Clemson's existing Redfern Health Center is 56 years old, built when the university had a student population of just 6,700. Since then, Clemson's enrollment has increased four-fold, yet the college has not expanded or renovated the center since it was constructed. Plans call for the Medical University Hospital Authority to spend $61 million to help build the new, 90,000-square-foot center, with Clemson chipping in $3 million, and a pair of federal grants covering the remainder. If Clemson were to pursue the project alone, it would have to pass the cost on to students, the school wrote in its proposal. Instead, Clemson will simply turn over to MUSC the existing health fees charged to students when they enroll. As part of the deal, that fee will stay flat for the first five years of operation, potentially saving students more money on health care. According to Clemson, student health care costs have been escalating since the COVID-19 pandemic at an average rate of 6% per year. Students currently pay $182 per semester. There will be an additional $66 fee for any students who stay on campus for the summer session. That fee covers the cost of doctor's visits, counseling, and telemedicine urgent care, according to Clemson's health services website. It does not cover prescriptions, vaccinations, lab tests, X-rays, psychiatric treatment, gynecological exams, routine physical exams or procedures, such as stitches. MUSC will bill students for those additional services 'in a manner that does not burden Clemson students or their families but is expected to generate additional revenue,' according to documents provided by the two organizations. Students who are on their parents' insurance policy can continue to use that coverage. MUSC will bill the insurance company. 'All students will continue to have access to student healthcare regardless of their financial status,' according to a joint letter from MUSC and Clemson. It will also bring an end to Clemson's current, 'archaic' billing model for health services, which withholds diplomas and prevents students from enrolling in classes if they have an outstanding medical bill. A Clemson spokesman did not immediately respond to questions from the SC Daily Gazette about that policy. MUSC will reinvest any excess revenue back into Clemson Health. The school and the hospital system expect to sign the 30-year deal in January 2026 and complete construction in July 2027. At the end of the lease term, MUSC will transfer ownership of the facility to Clemson. In addition to health care for students, Clemson and MUSC also plan to work together on more health-related research projects, as well as joint degree programs.
